Night time panic attacks

[mnda]

Recently I have been waking up in the middle of the night in the middle of a panic attack.  I feel like I have forgotten to do something and sometimes it is something from 5 years ago.  Sometimes it is that I feel someone is in my room.  Also, I immediately go straight to the kitchen and have to eat something.  What is going on and what can I do to stop having the panic attacks and stop using food to soothe them?  I am trying to lose weight and these middle of the night panic attack food binges are not helping.  HELP, PLEASE!

[Ron119]

I'm not a doctor, but I think you are suffering more from stress-related anxiety than actual night-time panic attacks.

Actual night-time panic attacks are very traumatic. Sufferers wake up thinking they are dying -- having a heart attack, with physical symptoms like palpitations, cold sweats, etc.

You should look into stress reduction techniques and be happy you don't suffer from the above.

[James_18]

Hi, Well if you have panic attacks and it causes you insomnia you should go to your doctor.

He could prescribe an antidepressants like prozac, paxil, lexapro, effexor, etc to relieve the panic attacks. Now for the insomnia go for tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Butriptyline etc.

You could also go for the benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, Valuim, Librium, Klonopin, ProSom, etc. Those are good for insomnia  (Ativan, Valuim, ProSom) and some are good for panic attacks   (xanax, klonopin, ativan).

Benzodiazepines are VERY ADDICTING and when used for long term cause physical and phycological dependence and when you stop them you go to withdrawl and its VERY UNPLEASANT. I would recommend those with antidepresants just for 3-6 weeks that way the antidepressant can kick in and help. Antidepressants take 3-6 weeks to start working. Also if you do use benzo's when you stop gradully reduce the dose. If not you'll go though withdrawl DON'T STOP THEM COLD TURKEY!!!!

TAKE CARE :) BYE

[charley1986]

Hey, I have had these same things happen to me.  Google sleep paralysis - it should sound somewhere very close to what you are dealing with.  I had these and I have just been diagnosed with epilepsy too.  Neuro said that sometimes, these are a precursor to neuro problems and sometimes, not.  Hope this helps!

[Pum]

If you are getting wound up during the day sometimes these panic attacks are the symptom ie like a release.  Try relaxing and reducing your stress during the day.  Excersise or meditation can help.

Try this before going to bed. Breathe in deeply while making sure it is your tummy rising not your chest, hold for 2 seconds then noisily breathe out for as long as you can, repeat 5 times.  Then close your eyes and try to clear your mind and look for light cracks or patterns.  Keep trying to look as long as you can.  If thoughts intrude just let them go.

Good luck.

[mnda]

I usually feel as though I forgot to complete an assignment in school (college) or do something at work.  I assume it is stress related.

[mungufuata]

Do you know what it is that upsets you?  this thing from 5 years ago?