subject: Sleep Panic Attacks and What to Do About Them [print this page] Author: Alex J Schneider Author: Alex J Schneider
Individuals who suffer from sleep panic attacks are often deprived from enjoying the sleep and the rest they deserve. Persistent migraines and headaches, excessive sweating, involuntary muscle spasms, shorter and deeper breathing are some of the manifestations considered as possible symptoms for sleep panic attacks. However, the major distinction between sleep panic attacks and other types of panic disorders is the focus on the evening sleep as the source of the panic attack. When anxiety disorder symptoms disrupt them from their sleep, they often prefer not sleeping at all because of a negative feeling. They often fear that they might die or might experience a heart attack in the middle of their sleep. Thus, the 8-hour recommended sleeping duration would no longer be applicable for these individuals. Lack of adequate rest and sleep is often linked to weaker immune system and higher risk for psychological disorders. Nightmares and sleep apnea are other sleeping disorders that are commonly interchanged with sleep panic attacks. There is a close similarity between sleep panic attacks and sleep apnea. When the blood pressure or heart rate of the individual reaches an abnormal level while sleeping, sleep apnea occurs. Although sleep apnea and sleep panic attacks share numerous attributes in common, you can still distinguish a sleep panic attack if an individual experiences irrational and extreme fear of the idea of sleeping. The fear of sleeping is rarely observed in cases of sleep apnea. Individuals who experience sleep panic attacks become too anxious of going to sleep for an irrational fear of a negative consequence that may take place while going to sleep. Because individuals do not get enough sleep, they often feel drowsy and weak during the daytime. This decrease in energy translates into lower productivity. Individuals who suffer from sleep panic attacks and who cannot sleep adequately at night also tend to lose weight, feel less confident, and feel more depressed and melancholic. With these potential harms that sleep panic attacks can bring to an individual, seeking for a treatment should be done immediately. The general guidelines for treatment of psychological disorders, particularly for anxiety disorders, are also applicable for sleep panic attack treatments. Irrational thoughts and fears should be unlearned by the affected individual. This serves as the salient point of cognitive behavioral therapies. Another sector in society offering an alternative treatment option is the pharmaceutical industry. Drugs such as Xanax and Klonopin are made available for commercial and regulated distribution for their short-term and long-term benefits in treating sleep panic attacks. However, due to the presence of harmful side effects, medicine intake is not highly encouraged. Taking medicines may even make the condition worse, especially if the dosage has been incorrect. In seeking for treatment for sleep panic attacks, the affected individual must consult psychologists or psychiatrists. They would be in the best position to recommend the most appropriate treatment or approach.About the Author:
