Every night I have “panic attacks” that occur even if I’m perfectly calm. What is this and how can I help it?
Question by Cosmic Surfin’: Every night I have “panic attacks” that occur even if I’m perfectly calm. What is this and how can I help it?
I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and social anxiety, and I’ve experienced panic attacks during social situations, but that’s not what I’ve come here to ask.
Every night since January 1st, 2006, I’ve been having what I describe as “panic attacks”, but I’m not entirely sure if they really are indeed panic attacks.
Every single night whenever I lie down to go to bed, (and sometimes before I go to bed, even) I first feel this sort of immense weight on my chest and throat area, and then I start to panic, thinking the “weight” will kill me (sounds a bit crazy, doesn’t it?). I think the best way I can describe it is the feeling of my sternum collapsing or my throat closing up; something like that. Usually it’s just hard to breathe.
If I do calm down, sometimes my thoughts will start to race and I can’t get the thought of my loved ones someday dying, and the thought of myself dying one day (or I can’t get other unanswerable questions out of my head). Once I start thinking of it, I can’t shake it. Usually, I just end up crying myself to sleep because I get so upset.
Obviously, this is a problem, and it’s been a problem for the past 3 years or so practically every night.
So, why does this happen to me? Even if I’m completely relaxed before going to bed, I immediately become panicked once I lie down.
Progressively it’s getting better, little by little, but I still have my “bad months” and my “good months”.
So, are these panic attacks? Or is it some other problem?
Is there something I can do to help, or even fix, this? If you’re wondering, I am on a low dosage of Zoloft, and I’ve been thinking of increasing my dosage. I have been having this attacks long before I started the medication, so I don’t believe they are an effect of the drug.
Thank you for your help, I’d really appreciate any of your thoughts on this and any questions you have.
Best answer:
Answer by Gabe
Maybe try switching to lexapro or cymbalta. they are for both depression and axiety.
Its possible to have panic attacks even if you are happy. they come out of no where. its from past stressors that are barely finding a way to release themselves so to say.
Talk to your doctor more. maybe try talking to him about .25 mg xanax. its a low dose but can help when these symptoms arrise.
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3 Comments:
It’s definitely not your fault you feel this way. Anxiety is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain and can be corrected with medication, so you might want to talk to your doctor about changing medications or dosages. But also, you really should go to a talk therapist as well so that you can address the problems that race through your mind and learn how to counteract them. A therapist can be really helpful because they can explain to you why you feel that way, and when you understand your anxiety you will be able to overcome it much faster.
It is very possible that you could find some relief by changing your night time routine.
Consider sleeping somewhere that is not a bed,
with the lights on and some soft sounds. (radio, cd, tv, fan, etc.)
Before “sleep” do some purposeful direction of your thoughts to positive thoughts and phrases, whether reading favorite poems aloud, or Bible verses on love or encouragement or proverbs. It can be the same words every night, or it can be different stories or poems. Consider sleeping in your clothes, wrapped in a blanket, drifting off in your reading. Singing softly can be a positive mood maker too.
(Steer away from loud, angry, sad, disturbing thoughts. Keep it light and happy and loving, all sunshine and flowers.
There is a little trick I learned that you might incorporate. When a disturbing thought comes to mind, and won’t leave…..close your eyes for a 3-second blink. Say aloud “STOP”. Then open your eyes, and place in your mind (read) something positive to concentrate on, even if you have to read it over 10 times to block the bad thought. You can learn to control your thoughts, rather than letting your thoughts control you.
Very important – work with a therapist often – weekly if possible.
This therapist should see changes in you. If you go 3 months without improvement, it would be time to find another therapist.
Something happened to you January 2006. Something that changed you, causing you fear. That would be a very good place to start in your therapy.
There are 2 programs out there that are famous for treating Panic Attacks and Anxiety successfully.
They are: Panic Away and The Linden Method.
You may wonder, “Which one is better?” Don’t worry, you’re not the only one with that question.
The Panic Away program is more appropriate for people who can cope with their Panic Attacks or Anxiety well.
Linden Method is more for those who aren’t really good in coping their Panic Attacks or Anxiety well.
Check out the reference for the full comparison.