Night Time Anxiety Attacks –First Steps to Take If One Strikes
Nocturnal anxiety attacks affect between half and three-quarters of folks who are afflicted with panic disorder. Having a panic episode in daylight is bad enough. Having one in the darkness of the night is even worse.
Everything seems more frightening at night. It’s even worse if there’s no one else around. I believe everyone, even someone without an anxiety disorder, has had a night’s sleep disturbed by fear.
For most people, just turning on the lights and looking around their house eliminates the fear.
It doesn’t work that way if your problem is a nighttime panic attack.
The signs and symptoms of a nighttime panic attack are essentially the same as as a daytime one. That is, the person typically feels a pounding pulse, rapid shallow breathing, tingling in their arms and legs, a a sense of doom and so forth. In short, all the things that go with any panic episode.
For some people the panic attack might occur just as they start to doze. For others, the panic comes out of nowhere while they’re in the depths of a deep sleep.
Surprisingly, most people with nighttime anxiety attacks don’t remember a nightmare before or with the attack.
If you experience these episodes realize that you can get rid of them. But there are things you need to do to reach that goal.
To begin, you need to see your doctor. Some physical problems that look a lot like the symptoms of anxiety episode. You want to make sure you don’t have a problem like that.
With night time panic attacks, sleep problems such as sleep apnea may be a concern. Your physician may well recommend testing for this.
Next, be sure your habits support a restful night’s sleep.
This means avoiding things that might keep you awake like drinks with caffeine in them. Only use your bedroom for sleeping and romantic activities. Don’t do things like watching TV or reading in your bedroom.
the idea is to associate being in bed with sleeping.
In addition, don’t watch disturbing or action-filled TV shows or read such books before you head to bed. If you have an anxiety problem the last thing you want to do is to fill your mind with such images before bedtime.
You can find healthy sleeping habit ideas elsewhere.
The final step I’ll suggest here is to seek specific treatment for your panic problem.
A night time anxiety attack is really just a panic attack that happens to occur at night. The fact that it happens in the middle of the night does make it more terrifying, but doesn’t change the overall treatment.
Often, Your doctor will recommend using drugs as well as psychotherapy.
One difference is that if the nocturnal episodes really interfere with your ability toi get a night’s rest, a physician may recommend a sedative before you go to bed as a temporary treatment while longer term treatments have a chance to work.
One problem with prescription “sleeping pills” is that they disrupt normal sleep patterns. Sleeping because you’ve had a sedative isn’t the same as a night’s sleep without the sedative.
But it is better than one interrupted by a panic attack.
Another concern is that people can develop dependence. You need to realize starting using these pills that it should only be temporary. Before you begins you should know how long you’re going to take the medicine and how you’re going to stop.
For a lot of, it’s wise to try more natural treatments before they resort to a prescription drug. You can find a an excellent of natural sleep supplements at Night Time Panic Attacks Part 2.
In general, the natural sleep aids are safe and don’t disrupt normal sleep rhythms. Many people find they’re an excellent alternative to the prescription sedatives with out the side effects.
This advice will get you started down the path to relief. If you want more information about all aspects of panic attacks and their treatment, visit Panic Attack Release.
And click here for a review of a great non-drug way to treat panic attacks.
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