HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anxiaety/panic attacks in the middle of the night.

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/30/2010 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have been having panic and anxiety attacks in the middle of the night. And now I have even got a backache. I don't know for sure if I have done something to myself or if it is due to the pain.

 

I went to Urgent clinic (like the emergency) and the Dr. there said I should see my family Dr. And that annoyed me. When I saw my family Dr. about this, he said not to worry, that it is normal! cry confused

 

Well it is not normal when it keeps happening everyday! I am sick of it.

 

I even called a Health nurse. But not much help.

 

Any other experiences please? What scares me is the fear I have when I get up, in the middle of the night as if I am getting suffocating.

Posted 11/30/2010 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Margaret! Yes I have had these panic attacks upon awakening-horrible. I used to suffer them more when I was in a panic cycle. I would wake up often out of a dream, or not, with all the awful symptoms.
I have been better with these since getting the A/P under control, but having a bad dream can still be a challenge. It takes practice, but you should be able to use the same coping techniques that you use during a daytime attack to help you.
I use breathing and positive mantras to calm myself. If you would like more detail on this, post back and I'll be happy to share.
I am sorry that you are going through this. While it is not 'normal' noctural attacks are pretty common among those who deal with A/P. There are some good threads in the archives too, if you care to do a search.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing soon,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/30/2010 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, then I will do a search on Google to see what to do when I get a attack.

I do the deep breathing and things like that. But it is the fear that I have which is the cause of panic attacks that troubles me.

Posted 11/30/2010 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Margaret,

I am sorry youare  waking up in panic mode.  I used to have severe anxiety upon waking in the morning so I can understand in the middle of the night how nasty this must be for you.

Anxiety attacks that take place while sleeping, also called nocturnal panic attacks, occur less often than do panic attacks during the daytime, but affect about 40%-70% of those who suffer from daytime panic attacks. Nocturnal panic attacks tend to cause sufferers to wake suddenly from sleep in a state of sudden anxiety for no apparent reason and can have all the other symptoms of a panic attack. The duration of nocturnal panic attacks tends to be less than 10 minutes, but it can take much longer to fully calm down for those who experience them.

Remember that anxiety/panic feels dreadful but it will not harm you physically.  You have my empathy.

Kind regards,

Kitt
Posted 11/30/2010 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
HI Margaret.

Those night time panic attacks really do suck! I have them a lot too. I wake up in a cold sweat, heart pounding, unable to think. My Dr. thinks it might be sleep apnea, but I do not have a problem with that. I only have the night time panic attacks when in a day-time panic cycle.

Any helpful hints welcome.
Posted 11/30/2010 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your replies.

 

This frightens me. And I wake up gasping for air. Now both the Dr.'s I saw didn't think it was sleep apnea.

 

But it is there lack of help that frustrates me.

 

When I wake up, I do deep breathing and calm myself down. Kitt you were right it last about 10 minutes. When that happens, I am afraid to go back to sleep thinking I will choke and die! It is that feeling when you drowning...that I have. And it is scary! smhair

 

 

Posted 11/30/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Margaret,

I have also been through this and know how terrifying it can be. . . You have received so much good advice already, that I don't know what to add except when it happens, if you do some of the breathing and relaxation exercises upon waking up startled, it seems to help a lot for me.

Wish you the best!
Sam
Posted 11/30/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone has given you such good advice so I just wanted you let you know that I have those "middle of the night " panic attacks too. They are horrible. I feel as though my mind is really free to do what it wants -so to speak- when Im sleep. (if that makes any sense)Sometimes they happen as soon as I fall asleep, jolting me out of my sleep with my heart racing. I have found that the breathing exercises do help alot with this issue. now all I have to do is learn to pull myself away from the computer a few hours before I go to sleep so that I can give myself time to relax.

Nelle
Posted 12/1/2010 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
its the middle of the night and i am having an anxiety attack right now, there is nobody in the chat rooms so i started looking here....it makes me feel better jus knowing that im not alone in this stupid nightmare.....i jus feel like my chest is hurting and my back is kinda burning too. i think all the worrry bout anxiety is giving me ulcers....i used to suffer from anxiety years ago but i thought it was over with,,,,,here i am again.... i took pills for a while but my dr said im too young to be on those....anyways i feel a lil better jus being able to put this down so i guess i will try to go back to sleep and ill try and figure this site out in the morning... thanks for listening anybody....
Posted 12/1/2010 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
I just lost my partner of seven years, and I am once again suffering from bad anxiety and attacks. Just had one of these last night. It scares the heck out of me, but I just remembered to breathe deeply and calm myself down. Drinking cool water also seems to help me.
Posted 12/1/2010 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Dear R.R., so sorry to hear about your partner. Loss can be a major anxiety trigger, and I am sorry that you have the double burden of grieving and fighting panic. It sounds like you have some great relaxation tecniques, so be sure to keep up with those. My thoughts, prayers and hugs go out to you!
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/1/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Dear R.R, Dodger girl, Nelle, thank you for writing to me and consoling me. RR I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

 

Last night too, I couldn't sleep. When ever I woke up I kept deep breathing, but falling back to sleep was taking a long time. I don't know what it is that is going on. I don't sleep in the afternoon or anything.

 

I don't know how long I have to go on like this. Ugh!! But I really appreciate all your encouragement.

 

I feel its useless going to see the Dr., and he is not going to reccomend anything. I don't think. cry

Posted 12/1/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey S&A, I forgot to mention in my last post about natural sleep-aids. Here are a couple that I reccomend. I currently use L-theanine, and have been sleeping pretty well!

*L-theanine-green tea derivative-promotes relaxation, and reduces anxiety
*evening primrose oil
*melatonin-your body already produces this, the supplement just enhanches to body's ability to slow down and get ready to sleep-take approx and hour before bedtime-can cause increased dreaming

Always check with your dr. before starting a supplement-natural does not always mean safe for you.
These can be found at WholeFoods, or a health food store.

I hope that tonight is a better night for you!
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted Yesterday 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat. I hate the idea of going and seeing the Dr. again to find out if I can take melatonin. But the teas you mentioned, I think I can take without the Dr.'s permission.

 

I had never heard of L-theanine-green tea

May be I will try that first and see.

Thank you for those scaredy cat.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply