Does anyone have panic attacks that wake them up out of the blue in the middle of the night?

Question

I have panic attacks that wake me up out of the blue. I would like to know if others have this problem and how they cope.

Answer 1

i used to, then my doctor prescribed zoloft. it has made a huge difference

Answer 2

I do, mostly during the day, but the ones at night seem to be the ones that effect me the most. I don't ever remember what I dream so I don't know if that's something that triggered it. Have you looked into sleep apnea? If you wake up with the feeling like you can't breathe, you might want to check out some websites about that. You're not alone, I know that doesn't make you feel better, but it's always nice to know you're not the only one suffering! I also take Zoloft, and today it's been 3 weeks since I started taking it and haven't noticed a change yet. I just got prescribed (today) the pill that you can take when you feel an attack coming on, I was originally supposed to get the dissolving one, but my insurance didn't cover it. Good luck!

Answer 3

Sometimes. It's weird, because I often wake up shaking, or scared. Most of the time I just wake up for no reason. If you have panic attacks for no reason during the day, as I do, it may just be a panic attack. I just try not to think about it. Or I put on music. Something calming and soft, and try to clear my head.

Answer 4

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 5

You might consider taking 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), in sublingual tablet form. It's a supplement that's used to help control minor anxiety. It bears a close chemical resemblance to the amino acid tryptophan, which is popularly known for the way it makes you sleepy when taken on an empty stomach (as in when you eat too much turkey on Thanksgiving - it's found in turkey!).

The reason 5-HTP sold as HYDROXYtryptophan instead of the regular tryptophan is because 5-HTP can be found in trees and can be taken by humans safely; whereas the tryptophan form must be harvested from turkey or other fowl and can be contaminated with salmonella or other diseases. In the 1980s, there was a breakout of some kind of illness amongst people who had taken tryptophan pills from a contaminated shipment. Tryptophan is no longer sold in the US - only 5-HTP, which, like I said, is safely derived from a tree that, I believe, grows in Africa.

Tryptophan (and 5-HTP) are amino acids that are chemical precursors to the brain neurotransmitter seratonin, which is one of the main chemical influences on your mood. Increases in seratonin are usually associated improvements in mood - more happiness! But a BALANCE in seratonin levels (what 5-HTP helps you achieve) is what will leave you anxiety-free.

I take a small dose (33mg) before I go to sleep, which prevents me from having disturbing anxiety during the night and helps me go to sleep more peacefully. The sublingual lozenges (they dissolve under your tongue) are most helpful, since the 5-HTP is absorbed directly into the bloodstream in this manner instead of having to be digested before it can be used (as in pills taken normally).

As far as I know, there are no harmful side affects to 5-HTP. My doctor has actually recommended it to patients with minor anxiety instead of prescribing more drastic anti-anxiety drugs. 5-HTP can even have slightly beneficial side effects (as in weight loss in the obese), but should only really be taken to neutralize minor anxiety, in my opinion.

It's worked fabulously for me!

Answer 6

i must say that i have never been woken up by a panic attack. i do however get panic attacks so i can imagine how awful it would be to awake to one. your panic attacks must be caused by your dreams. something in your dreams is triggering your brain to have a panic attack. do you remember any of your dreams? i think you should take sleeping pills, do relaxing excersizes before bed, or take something like valerian root to help you sleep. i use valerian root to keep me calm and my mind at ease while i'm sleeping. so sorry this annoyance is happening to you. good luck with it though!

Answer 7

I do. Something that really has helped me is deep breathing. Like taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds and releasing it slowly. Repeat unitl you're panic is gone. It's done wonders for me. It's a nice alternative to medication.

Answer 8

i remember these from intro to psych. i think they're pretty common, for them to be taught in the intro class.

Answer 9

http://www.anxieties.com/newsletter0403.php

Answer 10

You should see a psychatrist.