Panic Attacks While Sleeping

The threat of panic attacks while sleeping is just as scary over here at the best addiction treatment center in Karachi, if not more so than those while you’re awake. This is because sleep is supposed to be a quiet time to relax. Furthermore, as you subconsciously build up to this state, you feel that we have Natural Ways to Deal with Panic Attacks you have even less control over. It can feel like there is no rhyme or reason to why it happens, but there is, and once you realize that, you can begin to do something about it.

 

Standard Description of Panic or Anxiety Attacks While Sleeping

Have you ever been dreaming, and suddenly it turned into a nightmare? The physical sensations feel so real that your heart races, and you break into a cold sweat. You regain consciousness, and usually, you can’t breathe. You can’t move as your muscles are paralyzed, making you more scared.

 

This is what happens during nocturnal panic attacks. Just so you know, paralysis is natural, however. It doesn’t occur directly from the attack. It happens because you were in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. You usually aren’t aware of it, but your major muscle groups become paralyzed during this stage of recovery.

 

Why Do You Have Panic Attacks While Sleeping?

The causes of nocturnal panic attacks are similar to those of panic attacks in your daily life. These anxiety attacks occur due to exceedingly high stress levels that your mind can’t deal with. Your subconscious doesn’t differentiate between actual attacks and imagined, so if supposed vividly enough, it feels natural. This is why the violent symptoms precipitate during the attacks.

 

Evil thoughts or fears not dealt with during the day can carry through to your dreams. This is especially true if you’re still thinking about such things immediately before sleep.

Unexpected anxiety attacks while sleeping can also occur due to any extreme changes in your life that you have trouble acclimating to.

Some have reported that various substances, such as alcohol and sleeping pills, can lead to nocturnal panic attacks.

 

How to Prevent Panic Attacks While Sleeping

Your treatment options may seem limited as you think there is nothing you can do in the moments preceding the attack. This isn’t entirely true, but the method you can use is relatively uncommon.

 

The best way to stop all panic attacks is to find methods to better deal with the stress and how you feel about the panic attacks themselves; this is often easier said than done, however. The common suggestion is to calm down before sleeping for a few moments. Clear your mind and think about better thoughts. Visualize yourself waking up well-rested and not having had a panic attack.

 

The unique method to stop them is by being able to guide your dreams. One way to do this is to think about something you’d like to dream about, followed briefly by any recurring nightmares, during which you will tell yourself that that is merely a bad dream that you resolve not to think about. This can take a while and is often hit or miss.

Another related way is to train yourself to have lucid dreams. These are dreams in which you realize you are dreaming and thus have complete control over what transpires.

It takes a while to have these at will, but you will find that ability beneficial, fun, and accessible.