A panic attack is characterized by the sudden onset of intense stress or fear. These emotions intensify for about 10 minutes, after which they begin to fade. Panic attacks can occur at any time of the day or night. People can experience a panic attack without warning. Others may have frequent, unexpected attacks. Those who have frequent panic attacks may begin to identify certain triggers, such as stress at work or a fear of flying. However, nocturnal panic attacks can happen without a trigger, waking the person from sleep. Read on to learn more about sleep panic attacks, their causes, ways to cope, and possible treatments.
Because there are several potential risk factors and causes of a panic attack, it is possible for a person to experience panic attacks at night.
There is very little research on nocturnal panic attacks, however, doctors are not sure what causes them to occur during sleep. When a panic attack occurs at night, it can be difficult for the person concerned to relax again.
Fears about the recurrence of the panic attack can prevent the person from falling asleep, leading to a lack of rest and increased stress.
Causes
Scientists still do not fully understand the exact causes of panic attacks, both during the day and at night. However, some factors can facilitate the occurrence of an attack. These include:
- Genetics – family members with a history of panic attacks
- Personality typology
- Life events, such as losing a job, public speaking or a fear of flying
- Brain chemistry
- Other disorders, such as social anxiety disorder
Symptoms
A panic attack, during the day or night, occurs when a person experiences four or more of the following symptoms:
- Sweating
- Chills
- Fainting sensation
- Nausea
- Palpitations, fast heart rate
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling of instability
- Tremors
- Feeling of suffocation
- Fear of dying
- Depersonalization – the feeling of being detached from oneself
- Feelings of difficulty breathing
- Fear of losing control
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Paresthesia or sensations of tingling and numbness
- Disconnection from reality
Some people may experience fewer than four symptoms during an attack. In these cases, a person may have a panic attack with limited symptoms.
Panic attacks are related to anxiety. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms. The difference between a panic attack and general anxiety is the speed of the onset and the intensity of the symptoms.
How do we manage them?
Before, during, and after a panic attack, a person may try several different methods to calm down. These include:
- Focus on breathing – slow and deep breathing
- Positive thoughts
- Focusing on relaxing the muscles in the jaw and shoulders
- Removal from the situation that causes anxiety
- Talking with a close person
- Slow sips of water
- Focusing on a nearby object
- Meditation
- Simple exercise, such as a walk or gentle muscle stretching
- Diagnostic
- A doctor can evaluate a person to determine if they have just had a panic attack, have panic disorder, or have another condition, such as heart disease, that may have similar symptoms
To diagnose a panic disorder, the doctor will:
- Perform a complete physical examination
- Have blood tests to check for thyroid problems
- Check the health of the heart, by means of an electrocardiogram
- Discuss family history, current stress level, situations the patient can avoid, fears and concerns
- A doctor may also refer the patient for a mental health evaluation
A person may receive a diagnosis of panic disorder if:
- Experience repeated, unexpected panic attacks
- Attacks cannot be associated with other mental or physical health conditions
- Attacks are accompanied by 1 or more months of worry about another attack
Even without a panic disorder diagnosis, there are treatments available.
Medical treatment
Common treatment for panic attacks will involve medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often the first therapy option for people who suffer from panic attacks.
Through this therapy, a psychotherapist helps the patient confront and understand the symptoms of a panic attack in a controlled, safe environment. Once the fear is remedied, cognitive behavioral therapy can help the patient avoid future attacks.
Prevention
The best form of prevention is to develop a treatment plan with a doctor and follow it. Therapy and medication are both very effective ways to help prevent future attacks and make symptoms more manageable.
