Can you have panic attacks while you are sleeping?
I woke up the other night sitting up in bed crying and breathing heavily. Was this a panic/anxiety attack of some kind. I have had attacks during the day recently and am on meds. Could it be the meds?
Answer:
About 50% of all patients with panic disorder have nocturnal panic attacks, but most of the events will be happening during daytime activities. Research shows that only 10.2% of all panic attacks happen at night, but patients might be more severely concerned about these events.
A significant number of patients are afraid of the nighttime and do expect a loss of control or severe somatic consequences like a heart attack, stroke or other irrational cause of death. Of course this is most unlikely!
We know that most panic attacks are NOT caused by dreams. Records of sleep polysomnographia show a maximum of panic attacks during early sleep phase (phase II), not during the REM-phases associated with dreams. This is a major difference to nightmares! Nightmares happen during the second half of the night, so we are often able to remember the content of these dreams.
Pavor nocturnus is a very specific type of sleeping disorder, more common among children. It is defined by a sudden avakening with crying, strong anxiety symptoms and vegetative symptoms like heart palpitations, short breathening and sweating. This type of sleeping problems occur during deep phases of sleep (phase IV).
Arousals caused by sleep apnea syndromes are usually not characterized by extreme anxiety symptoms. But this sleep disorder might have an effect on the origin of panic attacks, because sleep apnea has an impact on heart frequency and blood pressure. Chronic arousal of anxiety during night could be a kind of dysfunctional protection against apnea during night.
The exact causes for panic attacks at night are not known. Other possible causes include an increase of CO2-concentration (False Suffocation alarm hypothesis) or changes of the parasympathotonic system due to autonomic dysfunction.
So panic attacks at night will be mainly influenced by the events of the last day, consumption of alcohol or drugs and a general higher arousal due to the anxiety disorder of the client.
Comments
Comment from Amanda
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:36 am
yes you can
References :
Comment from Colin M
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:20 pm
My girlfriend has panic attacks alot both during the day and at night. She wakes up in the middle of the night breathing heavily, screaming and crying. It’s a really scary thing.
I’m not sure if could be a side affect to your medication, but it may be a good idea to ask a doctor or pharmacist. I think it mainly has to do with anxiety and stress.
References :
Comment from sarah a
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I have panic attacks in my sleep. I wake up and my forehead is covered with sweat!
References :
Comment from pkateh
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Yes, it could just be a night terror or a panic attack and you may need to talk to your therapist about the meds you’re taking. It could also be a symptom of sleep apnea, especially if you’re on a benzo derivative for anxiety. Getting a sleep study done wouldn’t be a bad idea. Having sleep problems can cause anxiety and depression and my cpap machine has done more for me than any prescription I’ve had
References :
Comment from canada_winnipeg_male
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Answer:
About 50% of all patients with panic disorder have nocturnal panic attacks, but most of the events will be happening during daytime activities. Research shows that only 10.2% of all panic attacks happen at night, but patients might be more severely concerned about these events.
A significant number of patients are afraid of the nighttime and do expect a loss of control or severe somatic consequences like a heart attack, stroke or other irrational cause of death. Of course this is most unlikely!
We know that most panic attacks are NOT caused by dreams. Records of sleep polysomnographia show a maximum of panic attacks during early sleep phase (phase II), not during the REM-phases associated with dreams. This is a major difference to nightmares! Nightmares happen during the second half of the night, so we are often able to remember the content of these dreams.
Pavor nocturnus is a very specific type of sleeping disorder, more common among children. It is defined by a sudden avakening with crying, strong anxiety symptoms and vegetative symptoms like heart palpitations, short breathening and sweating. This type of sleeping problems occur during deep phases of sleep (phase IV).
Arousals caused by sleep apnea syndromes are usually not characterized by extreme anxiety symptoms. But this sleep disorder might have an effect on the origin of panic attacks, because sleep apnea has an impact on heart frequency and blood pressure. Chronic arousal of anxiety during night could be a kind of dysfunctional protection against apnea during night.
The exact causes for panic attacks at night are not known. Other possible causes include an increase of CO2-concentration (False Suffocation alarm hypothesis) or changes of the parasympathotonic system due to autonomic dysfunction.
So panic attacks at night will be mainly influenced by the events of the last day, consumption of alcohol or drugs and a general higher arousal due to the anxiety disorder of the client.
References :
Comment from PerfectionimIsMyGoal
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm
OMG, THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED TO ME SOME WEEKS AGO. I WAS TAKING VITAMINS B-6 AND I HAVE NEVER WOKEN UP WITH MY HEART RACING AT 120 BEATS PER SECOND. THEY ALL STARTED WHEN I STARTED TAKING THE VITAMINS. I WOULD WAKE UP FROM MY SLEEP SHAKING, SCARED, COLD, AND COULDN’T BREATH. THAT NIGHT….I THREW ALL THE PILLS IN THE GARBAGE AND HAVEN’T HAD A PANIC ATTACK SINCE!
References :
PS- I’m not crazy..so i know it wasn’t in my head
Comment from Vica
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:57 pm
yes, it could be a panic attack. panic and axiety attacks can happen at any time of the day or night:
http://www.panicnomore.info
References :
Comment from Toadsputum
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:28 am
I think if it happens at night it is actually called a night terror. Very scary, but won’t hurt you. It happens to me every now and again.
References :