Panic attacks at night?

Question

I keep getting panic attacks at night when I'm in my bed. I get this thought in my head that someone is going to come into my room and rape me and I can't get the thought out of my head at all.

When I switch out the light I feel like he is actually IN the room, and I have to be totally still or he'll hurt me, so I end up totally paralysed in bed, scared to move and so I can't put the light back on. Some nights I'm too scared to even switch off the light because I know how scared I'll get.

I know it's irrational but at the time it feels so real and so true. And I can't do ANYTHING to get rid of the thought.

What should I do? I need to get some sleep, this happens almost every night and it takes me at least an hour to calm down enough to go to sleep, some nights I'm awake almost all night.

And no, I was never sexually assaulted as a child before anyone asks.

Answer 1

Well I don't know what to do about a long term situation, but short term you should get a night light. Either one that plugs in and uses the large christmas light bulbs, or have a bedside lamp, again using the C5 bulbs. Low energy, low light output, but it might be enough to give you the peace of mind to get to sleep. You should see a professional, whether it be a psychologist or a sleep therapist. There could be something physical wrong with your body or your brain that you have no way of knowing about. I hope you can get some rest and figure out why you are so stressed.

Answer 2

If you can find a decent therapist then cognitive behaviour might be right up your street. It focuses on the here and now, you analyse your own behaviour and you get to design your own therapy and outcome. It works because you are aware what feels realistic and achievable to you.
Are you having panic attacks or night terrors? This sounds more like a night terror than a panic attack. Are you dozing off when it starts, or is it when you turn the light off?
Here are some links to some sleep disorder sites, theres loads of info out there.
What have you tried doing so far? Have you tried sleeping in a different room, moving all the furniture around and so on? That migh be a good place to start.
If you want a clue as to how this kind of thing can begin; lets say the neighbour has the tv or radio playing loud enough for you to hear. Your ears don't have an off switch. Your subconscious sounds an alert, and you're awake. Or if you were in a light sleep, your eyes could have been half open and a pile of clothes and some shadows becomes a terrifying shape. It can become a habit, or pattern of behaviour; one thing happens then another follows.
Its difficult to break habits. You can change them into new, wanted behaviours much more easily. So you have to design an intervention for yourself. Changing your room would be a good start. The next step would be for you to invent some kind of defense system that you take to bed, and the next would be to invent a weapon.
So the new pattern would become; you wake up in a state of terror, and repeat what you practice during the day - he can't find me because... or he can't touch me because... or the light touches him and he runs away scared... And the next step might be - If he comes in this room, the huge watch dog in the corner will drag him out through the door.
I know it sounds daft, and it takes practice, but it does work.

Answer 3

It sounds like a living nightmare. It doesnt matter at this stage what lies behind these thoughts, but the best thing you can do is get yourself some Cognitive Behavioural Counselling. If you haven't heard of it and think it sounds a bit odd, don't worry. It is simply about getting to the thoughts that lie behind your panic and reprogramming them away. It is an amazingly powerful form of counselling and is used in all sorts of ways - from treating phobias, to anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders and ...panic attacks! Speak to your GP and to people around you that you can trust. Then take the help or advice offered. Therapy isn't always cheap, you may get free counselling through your GP. You may also be offered tablets that will help to calm you down, these are good in the short term but not the complete solution.


By the way , well done for being brave enough to talk about this. Think of this as the beginning of the end for this terrible situation.

Good luck

Answer 4

I had the same problem when I was going through some rough times. You must be going through some trying times right now either at work or at home and the fear of the unknown future or perhaps some sort of anger about something or someone is eating you out from the inside. See your doctor but don't go the route I took, alcohol. Sleeping pills may only help you get to sleep but not stay asleep. Zoloft works well for some people but again see your doctor. If it's some sort of external problem like unresolved anger that is causing these panic attacks do your best to eliminate them no matter what the cost.

Answer 5

Seek some professional help but, until you do:

* get some lavender oil or even a lavender plug in and put a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow before you go to bed (get a teddy or something you can hold onto and pour some drops on it's head or ear or so).

* Have a glass of warm milk/horlicks about half an hour before bedtime. Camomile tea is relaxing.

* Go to a chemist or even supermarket (they sell it there nowadays too) and get some BACH RESCUE REMEDY. It's a bottle with a dropper and now comes in a little spray bottle too. That will 'comfort and re-assure'.

* A night-light.

* Get something that will make you feel safer e.g. have a cane/pepper spray/or whatever will make you feel like you have a chance to protect yourself next to you or a movement sensor - I don't know, that's for you to think about.

* Maybe even go to some self-defence classes or take up martial arts/boxing/kick-boxing or so...

It's not a bad thing to be 'wary' or even paranoid as it will keep you alert and aware however, make sure YOU control your emotions and not vice versa.

May you find peace x

Answer 6

Things always seem worse at night whatever it is, & I think there is probably an underlying situation that has triggered this off. We often find things playing on our minds at night & I think that because it is much quieter & obviously darker than in the daytime we 'hear things' at night which are obscured by other noise during the day. As most other s have sggested you need to see your GP & maybe he will give you a mild sedative (nothing too serious) just to relax you and get you off at night. Most of all try not to start worrying as bedtime approaches as this will only kick start your worrying again. Best of luck, I'm sure it can be easily sorted out

Answer 7

I get panic attacks at nigt, in the morning, in the afternoon, anywhere. But I know the source of it. PROBLEMS - UNSOLVED ISSUES.
My question is Do you have any usolved issues, problems with your parents, dad, boyfriend, etc.
You said no violation.
You might what to consulte a psychologist, and tell him/her whats bothering you, what you fell at nights, all your fellings, take them out. If you can do this on your own, no problem. But go see somebody, because panic attacks are not dangerous, won't affect your health but can make your life a living hell.
Try breathing.... when you start having the attack, think of something else.... and in case your heart starts beatting fast drink water, and continue breathing.

Answer 8

Hi go to your doctor, i have suffered with panic attacks for 17 years it's not nice and these thoughts you are having will not help you, maybe you need some councelling there may be a deep rooted problem thats needs sorting.

Answer 9

I would try sleeping in another room I am not sure this would help maybe make things worse but I have suffered panic attacks and I open the curtains wide open the windows tuck myself into bed and think of shuting these thoughts into cupboards and locking the doors smile and drift to somewhere where you feel happy and concentrate on that place and I do eventually go off to sleep
good wishes to you

Answer 10

How old are you.
Could it be night sweats that wake you. Or have you always been afraid of the dark. have you got something on your mind. Try getting a child night light. Try reading a love story till you drift off to sleep and you may continue the story the way you want it to end. Or take note of the food you eat before you go to bed. I wish you well. Lack of sleep needs help. Tablets are not always the answer. Good luck