panic attacks while sleeping symptoms
Am I having panic attacks in my sleep or asthma? Confused, please help?
I wake up in the morning with what feels like I am having a bad asthma attack. Shortness of breath to the point I use my inhaler. I am in a deep sleep and wake up with this often in the morning. Then after I do treatment to the asthma symptoms it feels like I did not sleep at all the entire night the rest of the day. I do recall when I wake up I do feel a bit panicky. However, my Dr. stated it sounds more like I am having panic attacks in my sleep that is provoking like symptoms of asthma since it only occurs during this time. He also said it’s not too common asthma patients have asthma attacks while they sleep.
I do have lucid night mares often about my ex boyfriend in the past where I was in a really bad abusive relationship with. They are about the things he did to me. Any suggestions or thoughts here? Should I try an over the counter sleep aid see if that helps?
The way you describe the attack does not sound like a panic attack to me. In my own personal experience with panic attacks they usually occurred before I am in the deep sleep faze. I have very lucid dreams because of my medication and I never remember having dreams before a nocturnal panic attack. When I’m having a panic attack, I wake very suddenly. Shortness of breath is prevalent, but it really the least of my worries. It isn’t just a panicky feeling, it is a terrifying experience. I’m positive that I am going to die or go crazy. Nocturnal panic attacks are worse than normal attacks for me, because I am still not fully awake and I’m completely confused and out of it, while I know what is happening during the daytime and can take control of the attack. For me, they usually last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes long, though it always seems much longer. I can’t sleep for days afterword because I’m worried it will happen again. You described it as feeling a “bit panicky”, but if you had had a nocturnal panic attack, it would be way more then a bit.
Experiences vary from person to person, however, but being a “bit panicky” does not constitute a panic attack. It just doesn’t sound like a panic attack. I’m no doctor, though. If it continues to happen, I would go see another doctor with your problem and see what he/she recommends. If it is panic attacks, sleep aids will not help (they will help you sleep, but they cannot stop a panic attack). For your sake, I really hope it isn’t panic attacks.
How to Stop a Panic Attack
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