Getting Over Night Anxiety Attack

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.

But what causes nocturnal fright attacks, why do some people experience this and others don't. Nocturnal fright attacks actually 10.2 percent of the total anxiety attacks that a person might feel. And this is also more frightening as this can lead to other serious health problems like heart attacks, stroke, and even 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 can also prevent night attacks by finding ways to stop worrying. This is because your worries and stress might be causing the attacks. And most importantly, don't be afraid to go to sleep for fear of having another attack. This will only strain you mind and eventually lead to night fright attacks. So, try to lower your anxiety levels if you can.

You can try thinking positive thoughts as fright attacks at night can actually give you negative thoughts. These negative thoughts are actually the reason that you start dreading sleep. So in order for you to stop the attack and start sleeping again, it would be best if you find ways to 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 bear in mind that getting angry or frustrated about your situation will not help you overcome the attacks but actually increases. You can lower the attacks by understanding the causes of the attacks. - 32513

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here