Surviving Night Time Panic Attack With These Simple Tips!

Panic attack at night is real and if you've experienced the sensation of waking up and feeling sudden terror, then you know it's not a pleasant experience.

Nocturnal panic attack is not usually as severe as the daytime version but can still leave a person a little worse for wear mentally, especially if it occurs on a regular basis. It's important not to get the night time panic attack confused with other sleep-based terrors such as sleep-terror disorder in children or adult incubus, a night terror with symptoms of tingling and paralysis.

Panic attack at night is interesting in the fact it's not an associated response to a nightmare. They are experienced in the most part during the first three hours of a person going to sleep and after the experience, a person may find it difficult to go back to sleep.

Possible Causes

Panic attack follows a period of stress in most situations. A person may be going through a relationship break up, work stress, financial stress, major change in their lives or any number of similar situations.

Accepting increased responsibility can also be a catalyst for eventual panic attack. The human psyche is such that many individuals dream of bettering themselves but when presented with an opportunity such as an elevation in job status, suddenly develop a fear of failure. Fearing failure is a symptom which can cause high anxiety in many individuals.

Eventually, the build up of stress over time can translate into panic attack and these include nocturnal episodes.

A Nocturnal Panic Attack Experience

So what does a person feel when night time panic occurs? Sudden fear is common and reports of having forgotten to complete something. There may be a deadline a person needs to meet for whatever reason and fear of failing to meet it can weigh heavily on their minds. The first thought they have when they awake is they've missed it! It's almost as if they've been transported into time and played out the situation already with the consequences having been suffered.

The same applies to people who have an early appointment. It may be getting up early to catch a morning flight or cab ride to the airport and stress could set in when they begin to think of the consequences if they miss it. Is the alarm going to go off? Will I hear the alarm? Will I hear it and turn it off half asleep and continue sleeping?

In other instances people will awaken and feel as if somebody is in the room. This is a scary experience for many as fear sets in. A state of frozen fear will grip them and they lay still refusing to move. Others will head to the kitchen and try and relieve the stress by eating.

Relief Suggestions Night Time Panic Attack

Obviously, if the attacks continue to be a factor then seeking professional help may be a preferred course of action. Other than that, being as relaxed as possible before going to bed may help. Perhaps try some meditation or breathing exercises. Try to change your thought patterns while laying in bed and think positively. Exercise of a physical nature may be beneficial as it can take your mind off the stresses of the day.