Sleep Panic Attacks
Panic attacks during the day are a nightmare in themselves but having to go through them at night as well is ridiculous. Even though only one tenth of all panic attacks occur during the night, it is still a troubling phenomenon which can have far-reaching consequences.
Over 50% of those diagnosed with panic disorder go on to suffer from sleep, or nocturnal, panic attacks. The sudden awakening with an intense anxiety or fear and the feeling of dread followed by the fear of dying is similar to the emotions felt during a day time attack. The physical symptoms of a racing heart, cold sweats, shaking and numbness are also the same.
While the actual symptoms may last about 10 – 20 minutes, the abruptness of the attack leaves most sufferers sleepless for a much longer time. Nocturnal panic attacks can lead to a dread of going to sleep for fear of another attack in much the same way that a day time attack can lead to avoiding the situation in which the attack occurred.
No-one really knows what causes sleep panic attacks but what is known is that they are not caused by dreaming. We dream when we are in a deep sleep phase known as the REM phase whereas nocturnal attacks take place during the early stages of sleep.
One widely accepted theory is that there is a build up of carbon dioxide in the body which triggers a ‘false suffocation alarm” and causes hyperventilation and the heart rate to accelerate.
Physiological factors considered as likely causes for sleep panic attacks are basically down to faulty wiring in brain receptors, faulty chemoreceptors and ventilation. Psychological causes are considered to be conditioning and an inability to relax.
Nocturnal panic attacks are common among people who already suffer from a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea, sleep related gastresophageal reflux disease, laryngospasms and sleep related seizures can all result in a person waking up with the symptoms of a panic attack.
While the cause of these attacks has not yet been determined, there are effective treatments available.
In order to break the cycle of ‘panic attack – fear of falling asleep – sleep disorder – phobia’, most health practitioners recommend a mild sedative even if only for a short time. This is useful in re-conditioning the body to sleep which is the first step in overcoming nocturnal panic attacks.
If taken in low dosages and for a limited time, then the likelihood of dependency on the drug is low. There are other things to try first however and the use of medication can then be a last resort.
Many people suffer from sleep disorders and the advice given to them is the same as the advice given here. In order to sleep well, experts recommend following a ritual in order to prepare the mind and body for sleep.
The first step is not to overburden the body before bedtime. This means no heavy meals late at night, no coffee or other drinks with caffeine in them, no alcohol or drugs or any other stimulants. It’s logical that these things are not conducive to a sound sleep.
Secondly, there are herbs and supplements which relax and calm both the mind and the body. A cup of herbal tea will go a long way in aiding a good night’s sleep. Lavender, valerian and St John’s Wort are all tried and true relaxation aids. Supplements include tryptophan and theanine which can both be taken before bed.
There are many more natural remedies you can try before resorting to medication. However, medication can also be very effective. The point is to try and get back into the habit of a good night’s sleep and avoiding the vicious cycle that nocturnal panic attacks can lead to.
As sleep panic attacks and daytime panic attacks are the same phenomenon, read through the other articles on these pages to find more detailed information on the causes, symptoms and cures.
