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Nocturnal Panic Attacks

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Posted 5/2/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all, second post. Anyone else essentially get shaking or uncontrollable tremors as a result of a panic attack? This usually happens after I wake up in the middle of the night after being asleep for a short time. Tonight it lasted about 7-8 mins but it makes you wonder if there isn't something else wrong? I've had a full blood work up recently and everything is good that way. This never happens during the day.

Does this happen to anyone else?
Posted 5/2/2013 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, nocturnal panic attacks are actually pretty common...and sneaky! Just when I started to get a handle on my panic attacks with my coping skills while doing therapy...the anxiety started to happen at night.;(

I would wake up in a panic state. Sometimes I could remember dreaming, but often not. It does make you think that there is somethig wrong...after all we are told that our thoughts bring on the anxiety attacks...and what could we be thinking about in our sleep right?

Rest assured however, that nocturnal panic just happens to those who have had waking panic.

The farther you get along with your recovery, the less they will be able to catch you off guard....and when they do, you will be able to shut them down with your relaxation techniques.

You are not alone in this,

S.C.
Posted 5/2/2013 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I do wake up shaking, sweating and having palpitations at times. Its due to the panic. I've learnt that if I just somehow 'ignore' it and go back to sleep, I'll be fine.

So don't worry about it, you'll be fine! :)
Posted 5/14/2013 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
The first couple of weeks after my diagnosis I woke up at night with my heart just racing. This happened several times, usually around 3am. I often wake up around that time anyway, but this was different. I practiced controlled breathing, and it settled down and I was able to go back to sleep.

I had no sense of actual panic or anything, no recollection of a dream but I assume that's what precipitated it. It was concerning, like, "What's causing this?!". But, it was probably just the obvious.

With a bit of time, study, and finally settling on a treatment plan this hasn't happened for a while now. Perhaps it's just been enough time that I'm adjusting to my new reality, but it doesn't freak me out anymore.
Posted 5/14/2013 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi TIB,

Recently I've been waking up with serious anxiety right off the bat as soon as I open my eyes it's anxiety time. So I guess it's whatever is processing in my brain at night that's got me all worked up, especially since I can remember falling to sleep peacefully. Seems like the subconscious and the brain is a power intstrument. One of the daily affirmations I have been using is "My brain is a powerful instrument for positive change, I am free from anxiety & worry". I like what SC says about progress in your recovery and that it will become more manageable.

I hope you are feeling better!

Joshua
Posted 5/20/2013 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
This is how my anxiety started. I'd be in a deep sleep and be woken up violently by palpitations, vomiting, panic, etc. after having my baby they started happening every night!!! 1-3x a night!!! My OB prescribed Celexa and so far have stopped, but I'm starting counseling tmrw. I'm really looking fwd to the tips and tricks I need to kick this anxiety to the curb!!!!! My goal is also to be able to beat it and be med free!!! I'm gonna try :)
Posted 5/20/2013 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
JJonah

You can do it. We have the same goal to dump anxiety & panic without medications. It can be done, SC did it and many other people do it. I'm feeling way better after engaging myself in researching and understanding anxiety & panic, and the therapy behind it. I am seeing a therapist and employing the skills of CBT in my daily life. I am taking my recovery exceptionally seriously!

I found also that when I shared intimate details about my anxiety & panic with my wife, that her understanding made it even more easier to pick apart the roots of my anxiety & learn to relax and not set myself up for failure. I was all worked up last night because I felt like my progress wasn't going as fast as I wanted, but in fact I've made leaps and bounds. I'm stuck to this "Moral Perfectionism" or "Idealism" about how hard I need to "fight" against anxiety & panic. Actually I choose not to fight. I choose to say whatever happens will happen anyway. I can control my thoughts, feelings, and emotions, but I cannot control everything in this outside world. There is no point for me to be upset about what I cannot control, it is only self-torture and I love and respect myself too much to continue to subject myself to this type of negativity.

JJonah - you can eliminate anxiety & panic from your life. I would just suggest make sure you get into your therapist appointment and have a formal discussion about the medication and withdrawing from it if you like. It's always best to listen to professional advice, not even advice from forum-friends :> (But truly CBT without medication is working for me!)

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Joshua
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