Nocturnal panic attacks typically occur within three hours of sleep onset and are most commonly seen in the transition from stage 2 to stage 3 sleep. People experiencing a nocturnal panic attack will often suddenly wake up with a racing heartbeat or chest pain. They can recall the episode in the morning and this frequently leads to distress and concern about another attack.
Frequently, the nocturnal panic attacks seem to “come out of the blue” and have no obvious cause or 
trigger. The precise cause of nocturnal panic attacks has yet to be pinpointed, however there are number factors believed to be contributors such as certain medications, stress, drug/alcohol abuse and heredity. People who suffer from nocturnal panic attacks typically also experience them during the day, but some experience nocturnal attacks almost exclusively.
Once you recognize that you may experience a nocturnal panic attack, prevention becomes a lot easier. The easiest way to prevent a nocturnal panic attack is to take medicine prior to going to sleep. Some medications interrupt sleep patterns or cause you to carry severe drowsiness into the next day. Some are addictive. If you are concerned about any of these side effects, you will want to try other methods of preventing a nocturnal panic attack.
For a more holistic approach to preventing a nocturnal panic attack, try to reduce your stress levels naturally prior to bed. Avoid caffeine and sugary or fatty foods late in the evening. Practice some gentle yoga poses and meditate.
There are also some temporary ways to deal with a nocturnal panic attack when it happens. Slow breathing exercises can provide temporary relief or at least help you “ride it out” – breathing slowly through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth using both the diaphragm and abdomen. Be careful not to breathe too quickly as this could trigger hyperventilation and actually make the panic attack worse. Repeating affirmations is another way to calm download your panic or anxiety attacks – slowly repeat to yourself something like “This is just a panic attack. It will pass and I will be fine”. This can have a calming, meditative effect.
However, at the moment the best advice for anyone who suffers from nocturnal panic attacks and who wants to find out such panic attack treatment is to seek immediate help. If you choose to try a more holistic approach, the Panic Away program instructs you how to get out of this endless stress panic attack loop. Break this cycle of fear with a tool that allows a person to never fear another panic attack. This has been the end solution for the thousands of people Joe Barry has taught so far.
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[...] 14th, 2010 by panicaway and tagged Nocturnal Panic Attacks, Panic Attacks Nocturnal panic attacks typically occur within three hours of sleep onset and are most commonly seen in the transition from [...]