Panic Attack While Sleeping

Or you may find yourself with insomnia! If you are worreid about having a panic attack it is very difficult to relax and let go and get some sleep.

Rude Awakening

Though a panic attack can happen at any time and anywhere, you may be rudely awakened from a pleasant dream by a panic attack. Not everyone is affected this way though.

However, it can seem pretty traumatic waking up this way, sweating profusely, with your heart racing. Imagine waking up with your head spinning and you're short of breath.

When I first had panic attacks in 1981, I found sleep to be very difficult. I'd lie there almost every night until about 3 or 4 in the morning before finally nodding off.

My panic attacks caused me severe balance problems as well as vision problems. I had pictures on my bedroom walls. Once the light was dimmed, these photos started dancing all over the place.

It was scary and uncomfortable. The photos appeared to be moving about all over my wall and it felt like I was in a boat, bobbing up and down. It was torture.

Make Sure To Rule Out Other Possibilities

Though people do get panic attacks in their sleep, it's important to make sure it's not because of something else. For example, you may wake up suddenly, short of breath. It could be a form of sleep apnea (which would also need to be treated, by the way).

Make sure you have a 'clean bill of health' so as to rule out other potentially serious conditions before attributing anything to panic attacks. It may well be a panic attack. It's just that panic attacks mimic serious illnesses.

There's no doubt that a panic attack while sleeping does occur. No one knows why it happens during sleep. It's difficult enough to understand why it happens while you're awake!

If you have very serious insomnia you may need temporary relief in the form of medication. There is also a short video on strategies to get to sleep you could take a look at to see if it might be of help to you.

Go to the Panic Attack At Work page

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