If you have ever had a panic attack in life, you probably know how scary the experience is. Such attacks take you by surprise and feel as though they last for an eternity, even if they are a minute-long in real life. At the same time, multiple triggers may provoke panic attacks at any point during the day; some experience it in the dark of the night. Also known as nocturnal panic attacks, these attacks represent an underlying panic disorder, or less commonly, withdrawal from substance abuse, and may warrant professional help depending on the cause.
A panic attack refers to an intense wave of fright that comes unexpectedly and can be extremely debilitating with an immobilizing intensity. You may feel like your heart is pounding, your breathing rate is going down, and your mind is shutting off. Panic attacks commonly strike out of the blue with no prior warnings and, in most cases, with no apparent trigger. They may even occur while you are sleeping peacefully, a phenomenon known as nocturnal panic attacks.
For some, a panic attack at night might be a one-time occurrence, although others may experience repeat episodes in the future. Such recurrent panic attacks are usually triggered by a particular situation, such as public speaking. These panic-inducing situations are often the ones that you cannot escape and in which you feel endangered. As a result, the body’s fight-or-flight response gets triggered, leading to the following panic attacks symptoms at night:
- Feeling disconnected from your surrounding
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, faint, or lightheaded
- Nausea
- Hyperventilation
- A racing heart
- Muscle spasms
- Palpitations
- Shakiness
- Numbness and tingling in different areas of the body, such as in fingers or around lips
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling out of control
- Fluctuation in body temperature, i.e., feeling too cold or too hot
The above-mentioned nocturnal panic attack symptoms can be so severe that they may make the sufferers believe that they have a heart attack.
If you wake up from your sleep with extreme fright every other day, you might wonder what causes panic attacks at night. Unfortunately, experts are not sure about why these nighttime panic attacks occur. However, what is known so far is that because the brain does not entirely switch off even when we sleep, there is a small chance for any pent-up troubles or worrisome thoughts to manifest in the brain unconsciously, leading to these attacks. Additionally, a history of daytime panic attacks also makes it much more likely to suffer from similar episodes at night.
While panic attacks at night can be frightening, they are a relatively common mental health issue. But what are the causes behind it? So far, research suggests multiple factors may increase the risk of suffering from panic attacks, both day and night time. These causes include:
- Experiencing longstanding stress in everyday life
- A history of other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Chronic physical ailments, such as cancer
- Side effects of certain medicines
- Recent significant life changes, such as becoming a parent, moving houses, or losing a job
- A recent personal loss, such as grief, breakup, or a financial loss
- Using certain substances, such as or caffeine
- Withdrawal from , , or medication
- Having a close relative (for example, a sibling or a parent) who suffers from panic attacks
- A lack of assertiveness with a passive style of communication
If you wake up in the middle of the night with chest tightness, shortness of breath, and heavy limbs, know that you are in the middle of a panic attack. Here is what you can do to calm yourself down as quickly as possible:
Let it pass
If you suddenly wake up to find yourself in the middle of a panic attack, do not fight it, as doing so will only make things worse. Accept the attack for what it is and allow the anxious feelings to wash over you. Keep reminding yourself that all this is temporary and will go away on its own.
Relax yourself
Inhale deeply and exhale slowly to relax your mind and body. Try focusing your mind on positive images and thoughts as you practice deep breathing.
Distract your mind
You may find it difficult to go straight back to sleep once a panic attack is over. Instead, you can involve yourself in some other activity to take your mind off what has happened. Get out of bed and indulge in something that relaxes you, such as stretches, yoga, music, or book reading.
Go back to sleep when the time is right
Once a panic attack has passed, do not try going back to bed unless you begin to feel tired and are ready to sleep. Keep yourself calm by practicing deep breathing even when you are back in bed.
Take enough time to sleep adequately
Panic attacks can greatly reduce the duration and quality of sleep, drastically affecting your performance the following day. Hence, make sure you cover up for any sleep loss that you may have encountered. Ideally, you must go to bed at least eight hours before the time you need to get up. Going to bed later than this can provoke anxious thoughts in your mind, which, in turn, paves the way for a panic attack to kick in.
Be ready for the following day
A lot of people struggle to sleep as they are too anxious about the following day, such as the night before the exam. Try reducing this by ensuring you are well-prepared for what lies ahead. For example, if you have a meeting early morning, make sure that your clothes are laid out and ironed.
Sometimes, panic attacks set off even before you realize that you are under stress. Doing everything mentioned above can significantly calm you down in the middle of an attack and can event prevent future attacks. However, if you still struggle to find an effective solution to end this misery, professional help is available. Multiple rehabs with qualified therapists broadly offer help to the victims of panic attacks and a consequently reduced quality of life. These centers conduct an in-depth assessment to evaluate the level of care you require and use different therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, to help you take charge of your life once again. Any concurrent issues, such as drug are also taken care of under specialist supervision for a lasting recovery.
So if you or a loved one are battling panic attacks, contact us to book an initial evaluation today.
