Panic attacks refer to a sudden immense feeling of anxiety and dread that can be triggered by a number of different things. Normally, panic attacks occur when a person is awake and going about their everyday routine. However, there are instances when panic attacks can strike even while you are sleeping.
Nocturnal panic attacks, or panic attacks that occur while you sleep, can leave a person feeling extremely disoriented and fearful. Some people report being scared because they thought they were experiencing a heart attack. This is because a person suffering from panic attacks often experiences the same symptoms that are exhibited by people suffering from a heart attack. Some of these symptoms include heart palpitations, sweating profusely, and shortness of breath.
Although panic attacks tend to plague almost everyone at a certain point in their life, panic attacks that happen while you are asleep do not occur as frequently. In fact, out of the many Americans that suffer from panic attacks, only 10% of them report experiencing panic attacks while they are sleeping. One of the possible causes for panic attacks to occur while you are sleeping is the presence of a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can cause an accelerated heartbeat while you are sleeping. This accelerated heartbeat can cause an individual to experience a rise in their blood pressure, which then leads to experiencing a panic attack while sleeping. Another possible cause for panic attacks to occur while you sleep is the imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your body. Some people tend to stop breathing for short periods of time while they are sleeping. This lapse in breathing brings about an increase of carbon dioxide in their blood stream, causing them to feel as if they are suffocating or having a shortness of breath.
If you tend to suffer from experiencing panic attacks while you are sleeping, here are some tips to minimize or even eliminate another event from occurring.
Avoid Heavy Meals before Going to Bed
Eating a full meal right before you sleep will require your digestive system to work hard. This, in turn, gives you an overwhelming feeling of being tired and stressed before going to bed. If your body is under stress when entering into a deep sleep, a panic attack could possibly occur.
Skip the Caffeine
Caffeinated drinks can cause heart palpitations that can bring about a panic attack even while you are asleep. As such, it is a good idea to skip your late evening coffee before you go to sleep in order to minimize the chances of having a panic attack.
Turn off the Television
Instead of trying to lull yourself to sleep by watching television, try listening to some soothing music or reading a relaxing book before you go to bed. This will eliminate any feelings of stress and anxiety that you may eventually feel while watching television. Even a slight amount of mental stress could increase your chances of experiencing another panic attack.