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.
flute_player
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!
Tahoe
HI!
I have sever panic attacks like you describe. If I fall asleep for an hour or so, I wake up with a start, and jump right out of bed. Sometimes I am sweating so badly, I have to change my clothes or pajamas because they are soaking wet.
I also wake up in the morning the same way. I have Remeron to take that has made it much better. Before that, I used to think I was going to die; you know what I mean. I get up and immediately take my meds, and then do normal things, like feed the dog, make breakfast, anything that is part of my normal routine to make the time pass quicker. I talk to myself, and do deep breathing exercises. sometimes it takes 4 or 5 hours for the episode to pass. So, consequently, I cannot go out in the morning for appointments, etc. That is my biggest problem is that I cannot make myself go outside at all except on my back steps. so, in that way, you are lucky that you can fo outside. I think it helps more to be able to get outside in the fresh air.
I can sympathize with your situation, but my shrink, and other doctors have never been able to pinpoint WHY I have them. I have read many places and heard that sometimes there just is no reason for the attacks, they just happen. do you talk to a therapist at all? that really helps.
Good luck to you.
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