Fear of Night Anxiety Attack Leads to More Attacks

By Ai Qin Lee

Anxiety attack that occurs during the night can be a symptom of a panic disorder that eventually leads to a person dreading sleep since the person would start worrying that he or she will not be able to sleep soundly. This is very distressing. Experts would say that this attack is usually due to mental worry and corporeal uneasiness.

So why do people experience night panic attacks? Studies have shown that 10.2% of panic attacks actually happened at night and this is more stressful to patients who are also suffering from daytime attacks. More patients are afraid of night attacks as this can also lead to loss of control or severe somatic consequences like heart attacks, stroke or other irrational cause of death.

But people needs to be aware that nocturnal panic attacks are not nightmares as this happen during the early sleep phase and not the REM or dream phase. Though not much are known about exact causes of night attacks but this incident might possibly be due to increase of carbon dioxide concentration or changes in the parasympathatonic system due to autonomic dysfunction. And this is usually influenced by what happened during the previous day, alcohol or drugs, and most importantly just plain anxiety of the patient.

But people need not worry too much as night fright attacks can still be overcome. One way to help overcome night attacks is through exercising at night then taking a 15 minute shower afterwards. These will help you relax and calm your mind unlike watching television wherein this strains the eye and brain. Thus, it is better if you don't watch television as this can actually lead to anxiety attacks. Listening to relaxing music or reading calming novel or book will also help prevent night attacks.

Panic attacks are due to worrying or stress so find ways to stop worrying. Try to stop being afraid of going to sleep and most importantly don't think about having an attack. Worrying can strain your mind and increases the risk of getting an attack. It would be beneficial to you if you can lower your anxiety levels.

One way of lowering anxiety levels is through positive thinking. Night fright attacks can actually give you more negative thoughts so overcome those thoughts by thinking about positive things as negative thoughts will only result to you fearing sleep. Thinking positively can also help you relax and calm your mind.

Getting out of bed would also not help if you get an anxiety attack at night. You become more stressed when you get out of bed thus you experience more attacks. It is better if you calm your mind while still in bed. Or you can write down your thoughts during an attack. This will help you determine the causes of the attacks.

You should also avoid drinking caffeine, nicotine or drinking wine at night. This is because these substances make you more alert in the evening thus leading to insomnia. And when you can't sleep you become prone to negative thoughts that will eventually lead to night fright attacks.

And lastly, don't get angry or frustrated that you can't sleep soundly as this will increase the attack more. Try to understand the attacks. Determine the reasons why you're getting anxiety attacks in the evening, as this will help you find ways on how to stop the attacks. - 29881

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