Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Nocturnal panic attacks, that is, panic attacks that happen at night, are an especially disturbing form of anxiety disorder.  It’s bad enough when a panic episode comes on in broad daylight, but even more frightening when it happens in the middle of the night.

Symptoms of Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Some people report that they start to feel anxious as they drift off to sleep.  This may be after a particularly stressful day, but not necessarily.
Of course, most of our typical days are pretty stressful now a days.

Other people wake up suddenly in the middle of the night in a state of absolute panic.  The symptoms might include a rapid pulse, sweating, shortness of breath, tingling of the arms and legs, trembling, a sense of dread.  In other words, it’s the symptoms of a daytime panic attack.

Often the person will be confused and disoriented.  It may take some time before they can settle enough to realize where they are.

Interestingly, nocturnal panic attacks are not necessarily associated with nightmares.  In fact, most people who awake in the clutches of one don’t recall having had a nightmare, or any dream for that matter.  They just awoke in a panic.

A night time panic attack is especially frightening if a person is alone at night.  Darkness and fear is a very unsettling combination.

An aspect of nocturnal panic attacks that is different from ones that occur during the day is the fact that they obviously interfere with sleep.  Not getting enough sleep leads to poor function the following day which can affect all aspects of the sufferer’s life.

What Causes of Night Time Panic Attacks

As we talked about on Causes of Panic Attacks, we don’t know for certain what causes panic attacks, but we have some ideas.  The same things apply to nocturnal anxiety episodes.

In fact, one half to three quarters of people who have a panic disorder will experience a nocturnal episode.

The problem can run in families, is somewhat more common in women and tends to start in late teens and early adulthood.  Often they begin when a person is going through a period of prolonged stress.

What to Do About Nocturnal Panic Attacks

As with any panic disorder, the first thing to do is to have a thorough physical evaluation by your physician to make sure everything is OK.  I’ve mentioned on other pages how sometimes heart problems, a thyroid disorder or other medical problems might cause symptoms like an anxiety episode.

One thing particularly pertinent to nighttime episodes is that sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, might be at play.  Therefore be sure to get evaluated, including evaluation in a sleep lab if your doctor recommends it.

On Nocturnal Panic Attacks Part 2, I'll give you some specific recommendations on what to do once you know everythink is OK physically.

But of course it's best not to have a panic attack at all. Ending panic attacks is what the Panic Away system is all about.

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