3 Effective Methods For Treatment For Panic Attacks That Happen When Sleeping

By Sara Heins

Most people know that panic attacks generally occur during the daytime hours. But panic attacks actual occur at night as well. There is hope through treatments geared toward panic attacks in the overnight hours. How can you have a panic attack at night?

People can wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning with panic attack symptoms. Even without reason people cam wake up in the middle of a panic attack. They may have chest pains, feel dizzy or be lightheaded. A fast heartbeat and restricted breathing is also common. Waking up during a panic attack is its own special nightmare and sufferers can feel like they are losing control, or even dying. It is a very terrifying experience to wake up like this.

What Causes Nighttime Panic Attacks

What do you do to stop nighttime panic attacks? Actually, it isn't that much different than treating them when a person is awake and having panic attacks. The problem with overnight panic attacks is that a person cannot easily identify the stressor that is causing the problem as they can during the daytime hours. Nighttime attacks are often brought on by things that are causing sufferers stress in the daytime like a loss in the family, injuries and accidents as well as problems at work. Whether the panic attack happens at night to during the day the best thing to do is remain calm.

How To Prevent Nighttime Panic Attacks - Three Treatments for Panic Attacks When Sleeping

Treatment 1 - Self Massages

Giving yourself a massage is actually a great treatment for night time panic attacks. It is also a good idea to have a massage first thing in the morning. When a person has a massage, their body becomes further relaxed, which allows them to handle stress that creeps up into their sleep whether it's through dreams or their subconscious.

Treatment 2 - Techniques for Relaxation

Learning relaxation techniques that involve breathing deeply can also help people suffering from night time panic attacks. Breathing correctly involves using your diaphragm rather than one's chest, and relaxation techniques teach you how to do this. Air is breathed in deeply and breathed out the same when breathing properly. By doing this correctly you focus more on your breathing then on your rising panic and it helps you calm down. The treatment, when done right and before you go to bed, helps you stay calm during the night.

Treatment 3 - Meditation and/or Prayer

The third way to treat panic attacks at night is to meditate before going to sleep. Why does this help? This makes you more relaxed and also puts you in a positive frame of mind before getting into the bed. - 30437

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