Panic in the middle of the night.

[dragonfly]

Last night I had a horrible panic attack in the middle of the night. It scared me to death. While i've woken up before feeling like I can't breath this one was different. This time, I remember vaguely feeling like I couldn't breath and sitting up quickly, then I found myself 1/2 asleep sitting up in my bed wondering where I was, still in part of a dream state. I remember dreaming something about someone talking to me telling me I was in the hospital, slowly I started to come to and then I got this wave of warmness all through my body, and then panic.

After I came to, all I could think about was going to the hospital because I knew something was wrong with me. And of course that made the panic worse. Eventually I was able to calm down and go back to sleep. But, I'm still worry about it wondering if something is wrong with me besides panic. I do know I have a problem with anxiety, but I also wonder sometimes if something else is going on. The main symptom I get that to me isn't panic related is lightheadedness, it comes and it goes whenever and doesn't seem to be linked to anything else. Of course I do panic sometimes after I get lightheaded, but I just have to wonder what is going on.

Does anyone else wake up in the middle of the night from panic? Or just feel lightheaded for no reason, sometimes even when you otherwise seem to be calm?

[Dana Sue]

I don't have the same kind of panik in the middle of the night, but Yes. I wake dreaming that my family never has any thing to do with me ever again. I wake up crying. Some times I can not get back to sleep. It wasn't this way always. I get up and have a hot cup of Tea, honey and Lemon, and try to think of some thing different. When it works, I can go back to sleep. when it doesn't, I turn to music. I like Jewel. Some of her older songs are inspirational, helping to boost my self belief. I may not get back to sleep, but letting myself keep thinking like that makes my body hurt too. I don't like to hurt. Maybe that will be helpful.

[Laura R_1]

Yes, I have had panic attacks at night while sleeping. I try not to let it bother me because I know what it is. I use Celestial seasonings "Sleepy Time or Tension Tamer". I also use Bach's " Rescue Remedy". When this occurs try to remember what it is ans relax. Remember that you should face it head on. When you face it and accept it syptoms begin to disipitate.

[dragonfly]

Thanks, yeah having some tea is a good idea. I enjoy tea during the day, but having some herb tea at night hadn't occurred to me. I can usually handle the anxiety during the day, but the stuff at night scares me because the initial panic I can't seem to stop.