Your Questions About Panic Attacks In Sleep
Betty asks…
I have been experiencing panic attacks, sleep apnea and sleep paralysis, anxiousness….?
I used to exercise 1-2 hours a day, jogging and lifting weights, then I quit after I got married. I’m still in good shape, Ive just been unmotivated to workout, almost like Im scared to make my heart beat fast. We’ve had lots of problems so far, and I think I might be going through a lot of stress. I try exercising, but the beginning phase of the exercising can give me palpatations and more anxiety. Ive tried antidepressants, but they only make the condition worse. My mouth gets dry, my throat tightens up, and i fell like Im going to die. It’s like Im in a dead end. What other possibilities can I try to get back to normal? Not to mention I used to be an alcoholic and had to drink in order to fall asleep. I dont drink anymore and I think thats why I cant fall asleep at night, and if I do I can get panic attacks in my sleep. Its really scary to experience sleep paralysis!!! All the doctors Ive seen havent helped me at all. Just wondering what other people would do. Thanks.
admin answers:
I have severe anxiety and depression and i know exactly what you are talking about. I take lexapro and klonopin for my depression and anxiety i also take ambien at night to help me sleep and now i no longer feel like i am going to die anymore. You also might need some therapy to get you through your stress and you fear of death. That might help. And let your spouse know so that they can help you as well and give you the support that you need. Hope this helps
Jenny asks…
Panic Attacks And Sleep?
I suffer from panic disorder and frequent panic attacks. I am on Klonopin, which helps control my anxiety fairly well, but do not prevent the panic attacks.
“How” I get my attacks follow a very consistent pattern. I would like to hear from others who experience their panic attacks in a similar way.
My attacks ALWAYS occur just as I am about to fall asleep, or asleep for a very short while, like within an hour. Before I go to sleep I often feel fairly relaxed, so it is shocking to wake up shortly after my head hits the pillow with all the classic symptoms of a panic attack, which for me usually include rapid heartbeat, hot flashes, nausea, sweating, some difficulty breathing normally, and a ‘strange feeling in my head and body’, like I am relating to the world around me much differently than when I am not having an attack. The symptoms and sensations are VERY uncomfortable and distressing, and I get the attacks about three times a week on average. Stress levels in my life are fairly high, and I also suffer from significant depression.
When an attack hits, I usually say to myself, “Oh no, not again!” and try to deal with the attack best I can. They usually last about 30 minutes to an hour and then slowly subside. However, I wish they would go away, or at least lessen in frequency and severity. My usual response is to get up and walk around a bit. Lying in bed usually makes me feel worse. I also usually feel an urge to ‘flee’(the fight or flight syndrome), and if the attack is especially intense I usually leave my apartment and take a walk. I find this helps somewhat. I try as hard as I can not to overreact to the attack, but it is difficult. Even though they say “no one has died from a panic attack”, etc.etc., there are studies that link frequent regular panic attacks to higher suicide rates and heart problems, so it is hard to ignore those things. A couple of times I went to the ER, but that proved to be a waste of time, as they told me I was ‘only’ having a panic attack, and I would be alright shortly. Easy for them to say. Let them experience one and know how awful it feels.
My main concern is why do my attacks ONLY happen during the early stages of my sleep? I am worried I may have a sleep abnormality that may be triggering my attacks. I’ve done some reading on ‘sleep panic attacks‘ and there are some things that can cause them. Usually a sleep study is ordered to find out. I may need to do that.
I would like to hear from those who suffer from these sleep panic attacks, in the way I have described, how you deal with them, any advice you can give me, etc. Also anyone in the medical profession who is familiar with what I am talking about I would also very much like to hear from.
Thanks.
admin answers:
I have panic attacks (not as severe as yours, but with similar symptoms) and a few times they have happened when I was falling asleep. I am sorry that I don’t know why this happens, but I can tell you how I deal with it. Usually I have the same desire to get up and move or run, but I try forcing myself not to leave the house. I stand up in my room and do some simple yoga-type stretches which usually calms me down a little. I try to focus solely on how I am breathing and after a while the attack subsides. Hope that helps a little, sorry you have to go through these I know they are terrible!
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