Understanding Night Anxiety Attacks
Panic disorders are characterized by night anxiety attacks which usually result to dreading sleep. Patients experiencing this type of attack are actually more distressed and worry more. These night attacks are possibly 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.
Night attacks are not similar to nightmares. When you have a nightmare, you can usually recall what the nightmare is about. Unlike anxiety attacks wherein you don’t even know why you’re having one. And attacks also happen during the early phase of sleep and not during the dream phase or REM phase. Though it is not clear what causes night fright attacks, but experts are speculating that this might be due to increase carbon dioxide concentration, changes in parasympathatonic system from an autonomic dysfunction, stresses during the day, alcohol or drugs, or worries and fear of the patient.
Nocturnal anxiety attacks can be overcome. You can try exercising at night and taking a 15 minute shower afterwards. This will help relax and calm your mind so don’t do things that will cause you more anxiety like watching television as this strains the eye and brain which also leads to attack. You can also try listening to relaxing music or reading a calming novel or book.
You also have to stop worrying. Remember that attacks are usually due stress and worries. It would be best if you can stop fearing sleep and stop thinking about having a panic attack. Straining your mind with worries can actually make things worse for you. So find ways to 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.
And when you happen to get an attack, it is best if you just stay in bed as getting out of bed will just result to more stress and more attack. You can try calming your mind in bed or chant a mantra or you can also write down the thought that you’re thinking during the attack. This can act as reference and will help you analyze why you’re getting nocturnal panic 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.
People should also remember that being angry or frustrated of not being able to sleep soundly will not solve your problem. This will actually increase the risk of getting more night attacks. More importantly in order to overcome attacks, understand the causes behind the attacks.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms Naturally Learn how to get rid of panic or anxiety attack fast and naturally even if you have tried every single method and nothing just seems to work for you. Overcoming Night Panic Attacks Naturally