Nighttime panic attacks affect between half and three-quarters of folks who are afflicted with panic disorder. Having an anxiety attack during the day is bad. Having one when you’re trying to sleep is even worse.
Things can be more frightening at night. This is especially true if you’re alone. I believe everyone, even those without an anxiety disorder, has awoken in the middle of the night with a fear or concern that something is wrong.
For folks without a panic problem, just getting the lights on and looking around their house eliminates the fear.
It doesn’t work that way if your problem is a night time panic attack.
The things that happen with of a nighttime panic attack are essentially the same as as one happening during the day. That is, the panic victim typically feels a rapid heart beat, too-fast breathing, trembling, a feeling that something terrible is happening to them and so on. In brief, everything that go with any anxiety episode.
For some people the panic attack might occur just as they start to doze. Others are awoken suddenly with fear while they’re soundly asleep.
Interestingly, most people with nighttime anxiety attacks don’t remember a nightmare before or accompanying the attack.
If you experience these attacks realize that you can get rid of them. But there are things you need to do to reach that goal.
First is to get a complete physical evaluation. There are some physical ailments that look a lot like the symptoms of anxiety episode. You want to make sure that’s not an issue for you.
With nocturnal panic attacks, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea could be a concern. Don’t be surprised if your physician recommends evaluation in a sleep lab.
Next, be certain your habits support a restful night’s sleep.
This means avoiding stimulants such as caffeine. Reserve your bedroom for sleeping and romantic activities. Don’t watch TV or read or pay bills while lying in bed.
You want to associate being in bed with sleeping.
In addition, don’t watch disturbing or action-filled TV shows or read such books before you head to bed. If you have a panic problem the last thing you need to do is to fill your mind with such images before sleep.
You can find healthy sleeping habit ideas elsewhere.
The last thing I’ll recommend here is to seek specific treatment for your anxiety disorder.
A night time panic episode is really just a panic attack that happens to occur at night. The fact that it happens in the middle of the night does make it more terrifying, but doesn’t affect the overall treatment.
Many times, Your physician will recommend using medication as well as cognitive restructuring.
One difference is that if the night time episodes are fairly frequent, a physician may be more likely to prescribe a sedative at bedtime as a temporary treatment while longer term approaches have the time to take effect.
One problem with prescription “sleeping pills” is that they interfere with normal sleep patterns. A night’s sleep after you’ve had a Xanax isn’t the same as a night’s sleep without the sedative.
But it is a heck of a lot better than one interrupted by a panic attack.
Another problem with sedatives is that people can develop dependence. It’s important to know starting using these pills that it should only be short-term. Part of beginning therapy should include a plan of how long you’re going to take the medicine and how you’re going to come off it.
For many people, it’s wise to try more natural treatments before they resort to a prescription drug. You can find a an excellent of natural sleep treatments at Night Time Panic Attacks Part 2.
In general, the natural sleep aids are well tolerated and don’t disturb normal sleep patterns. For many people they’re as effective as the prescription drugs with out the problems.
This advice should get you started down the path to relief. If you want more information about all aspects of panic attacks and their treatment, visit Panic Attack Release.
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