The Causes of Panic Attacks in Sleep
Suffering from panic attacks in sleep is probably one of the most frightening things that can happen.
The reason I say this is because having a panic attack during waking hours is bad enough.
But at least the sufferer is aware of what is happening and - with research - can learn which steps to take to get control back again.
But get a panic attack during sleep and you simply have to let it run its course until you wake up again.
But why do some people get panic attacks in their sleep and others don't? Causes of Panic Attacks in Sleep The following factors do not directly cause panic attacks in sleep.
But they do disrupt the sleep cycle and so will make attacks more likely for anyone who has a tendency to have them.
For this reason, it is important to be aware of them:-
Removing these blocks to sound sleeping is an essential pre-requisite to this.
An Important In-built Body Mechanism Many people are not aware of a proposal put forward by Donald Frankin Klein, of the Columbia University Medical Center.
He specialises in the relief of Anxiety and Panic.
More than fifteen years ago he made a proposal concerning the in-built mechanisms we have which continually checks and protects against suffocation.
When it is triggered it creates a stress response to compel the body to gasp for air so that oxygen is passed to the brain and thus prevent suffocation.
Klein's proposal stated that an over-sensitive anti-suffocation mechanism can cause a panic attack to be stimulated while asleep.
Experiments supported this theory when volunteers were subjected to differing levels of carbon dioxide and sodium lactate.
The higher levels stimulated symptoms of severe discomfort and fear of dying.
Recent Research Can Help Continuing research needs to be carried out.
The recognition of night-time panic attacks has been relatively recent.
But, with up-to-date knowledge, there are things we can do now to help alleviate our own problems with this disorder.
It is within our power to control and stop the causes of panic attacks in sleep.
The reason I say this is because having a panic attack during waking hours is bad enough.
But at least the sufferer is aware of what is happening and - with research - can learn which steps to take to get control back again.
But get a panic attack during sleep and you simply have to let it run its course until you wake up again.
But why do some people get panic attacks in their sleep and others don't? Causes of Panic Attacks in Sleep The following factors do not directly cause panic attacks in sleep.
But they do disrupt the sleep cycle and so will make attacks more likely for anyone who has a tendency to have them.
For this reason, it is important to be aware of them:-
- Drinking caffeinated beverages within 5 hours for retiring to sleep - caffeine in the system affects the sleep pattern.
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol within 6 hours of going to sleep - alcohol in the system can affect the sleep pattern.
- Eating heavy meals or foods which are difficult to digest less than 4 hours from bedtime - can cause disrupted sleep patterns because of indigestion.
- Not having a settling-down-and-getting-ready-to-go-to-sleep-now routine - makes it more difficult for the mind to calm down into restful sleep.
- Ignoring any sleep disorders from which you may be suffering and would affect your sleep pattern.
(see below).
- Sleep Apnea - breathing becomes very shallow and then stops for several minutes.
- Primary insomnia - difficulty in going to asleep.
- Grinding of the teeth - Known as Brixism, when done excessively this can often awaken the subject.
- Involuntary movement of arms and/ or legs during sleep - the legs kick or arms jerk.
- Restless legs syndrome - an impulsive urge to move the legs.
- Jet lag and shift work disorder - the body is out of its wake/sleep cycle and so doesn't feel that it is time to go to sleep yet.
- A need to get up frequently and go to the bathroom to urinate at night - known a nocturia, this is self explanatory.
Removing these blocks to sound sleeping is an essential pre-requisite to this.
An Important In-built Body Mechanism Many people are not aware of a proposal put forward by Donald Frankin Klein, of the Columbia University Medical Center.
He specialises in the relief of Anxiety and Panic.
More than fifteen years ago he made a proposal concerning the in-built mechanisms we have which continually checks and protects against suffocation.
When it is triggered it creates a stress response to compel the body to gasp for air so that oxygen is passed to the brain and thus prevent suffocation.
Klein's proposal stated that an over-sensitive anti-suffocation mechanism can cause a panic attack to be stimulated while asleep.
Experiments supported this theory when volunteers were subjected to differing levels of carbon dioxide and sodium lactate.
The higher levels stimulated symptoms of severe discomfort and fear of dying.
Recent Research Can Help Continuing research needs to be carried out.
The recognition of night-time panic attacks has been relatively recent.
But, with up-to-date knowledge, there are things we can do now to help alleviate our own problems with this disorder.
It is within our power to control and stop the causes of panic attacks in sleep.
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