Nocturnal Panic Attacks
Nocturnal panic attacks are much less common than day time panic attacks, accounting for only about one in ten occurrences. They also only affect around half of people with a panic disorder. However, night time panic attacks can cause more stress and anxiety as not only is the sufferer worried about having a panic attack while going about their daily business, they may also be too afraid to go to sleep at night. It becomes an all consuming, 24 hour fear.
The symptoms of a nocturnal panic attack are the same as any other kind – possibly including palpitations, a racing heart beat, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating and nausea. Like their daytime counterparts they also usually occur with no obvious trigger, rousing the sufferer unexpectedly from their sleep.
Some people wonder if their nocturnal panic attacks are linked to bad dreams or night terrors but this is not the case. Research has shown they happen mostly in the early stages of sleep and very rarely in the REM phase, which is the deeper part of sleep in which we dream.
There are, however, possible contributing factors to nocturnal panic attacks. Being excessively tired, alcohol consumption, drug use and high levels of stress can increase the likelihood of night time panic attacks, in someone who already sufferers from an anxiety related disorder. Sleep apnea can also contribute. Although it is not a direct cause of panic attacks, it causes changes in blood pressure and heart rate, mimicking some of the symptoms of a panic attack, and may therefore trigger one in someone with an existing panic disorder.
There are many effective treatments for panic attacks available, ranging from online e-courses to medication or cognitive behavioural therapy. Once daytime panic attacks are under control, the nocturnal ones should disappear or lessen as well.
Please select an article from the menu on the right for further information about treatment options.
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