panic attacks when sleeping

Causes of Panic Attacks During Sleep

There are many factors that cause panic attacks during sleep, and here are the most prominent:

• Extreme Fatigue

An individual may accomplish many exhausting tasks during their day that affect their overall health, leading them to feel very tired by the end of the day, needing only to sleep and relax. Unfortunately, the person faces panic attacks that prevent deep sleep, caused by the extreme fatigue that dominates the body and brain.

• Psychological Stress

Some individuals suffer from major problems in their lives that require effective solutions. As a result, the person starts thinking about these problems day and night. When they feel the need to sleep to escape these thoughts, they face panic attacks because their mind is preoccupied with the problems it tries to solve, affecting their ability to sleep peacefully.

• Irregular Sleep Patterns

Some individuals face circumstances forcing them to change their sleep habits, such as travel, study, or accumulated work. Consequently, they experience panic attacks during sleep primarily due to the change in their established sleep routine.

• Fever

An elevated body temperature during the night causes repeated panic attacks. Fever induces discomfort, restlessness, and hallucinations, making it difficult for the person to sleep continuously.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks During Sleep

There are several clear symptoms that appear in individuals suffering from panic attacks. The most notable include:

1. Waking up from sleep feeling scared and panicked.
2. Screaming during sleep.
3. Sweating all over the body.
4. Noticeably increased heart rate.
5. Constant tossing and turning in bed.
6. Walking or running during sleep.
7. Difficulty remembering these events the following morning.

Treatment of Panic Attacks During Sleep

There are many ways to treat these attacks. Here are the most important:

• Taking a warm shower daily before sleep, as this helps relax the body muscles and reduce panic attacks.
• Changing the sleeping place or time; experimenting with a different sleep routine to eliminate panic attacks.
• Drinking hot beverages before sleep, such as warm milk or herbal teas.
• Avoiding sources of stress such as people, mobile phones, or social media.
• Exercising before sleep, as it helps relax the body and regulate blood flow to the brain.
• Practicing meditation, which helps clear the mind and eliminate all thoughts that cause stress and anxiety. It is recommended to use the “Tawazon” app, the leading Arabic app providing all information related to meditation for optimal results.