Normally, night is a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. But some people wake up with a sudden experience and a lot of fear, which is accompanied by heart palpitations, sweating and a feeling of suffocation, instead of sleeping comfortably. This state can be a sign of a panic attack in sleep. Experiencing such a disorder not only disrupts night sleep, but also increases a person's anxiety during the day. Understanding the causes and symptoms of a panic attack in sleep will help people find more effective ways to control it. In this article, we will discuss the comprehensive review of sudden attacks in sleep and the scientific solutions for its management. What is a panic attack in sleep? Sometimes a person may wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and a feeling of suffocation. This experience, which is often accompanied by intense fear, can be a sign of one of the most severe types of anxiety attacks. In this case, unlike daily anxieties that have a clear trigger, the person is sleeping in complete peace, but suddenly wakes up with intense panic, without remembering a bad dream or nightmare. In such a situation, the body experiences the same physiological reactions as a normal anxiety attack, except that it begins during sleep. This condition, known as a panic attack in sleep, not only affects the quality of sleep, but as one of the common forms of panic, it can threaten a person's mental health in the long term. What is the difference between sleep anxiety attacks and nightmares? Many people have had experiences similar to waking up suddenly and interpret it as a nightmare. However, there are significant differences between a nightmare and a nocturnal anxiety attack. Nightmares often involve frightening mental images that the person remembers after waking up, but in a sudden attack, the person experiences severe physical symptoms with no clear memory of the dream. In cases of nightmares, waking up with fear usually ends quickly and the nervous system calms down. But in cases such as panic attacks in sleep, the intensity of physiological symptoms such as sweating, tremors or chest pain may continue for minutes even after waking up. Accurately knowing these differences helps a person to better understand the type of problem and choose a more appropriate treatment method. Causes of anxiety attacks during sleep Experiencing sudden awakenings with intense fear and physical symptoms is one of the most challenging sleep-related disorders. Identifying the cause of these types of attacks is the first step to control and reduce them. Several factors can cause such reactions, some of which are related to the daily psychological conditions and some to the biological condition of the person's body. In the following, we will examine the most important causes of panic attacks in sleep: - **Increasing daily stress:** Nervous pressures during the day, even if they are suppressed, can manifest themselves at night, especially during deep sleep. **Untreated anxiety disorders:** People who suffer from chronic anxiety during the day are more exposed to these night attacks. - **Hormonal changes or drug use:** Some drugs or changes in cortisol or adrenaline levels can trigger these types of reactions. - **Consumption of caffeine or stimulants before sleep:** Beverages containing caffeine disrupt deep sleep and increase the likelihood of anxiety attacks. - **Trauma experiences or mental injuries:** People who have a history of tragic events or trauma are more involved in this problem. Common symptoms of waking up with a sudden panic attack Waking up suddenly with severe physical and psychological symptoms is one of the most disturbing experiences that many people face. The symptoms of these attacks are often very real and frightening, so that the person feels they are in real danger or even death. Among the most common symptoms are rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, feeling of suffocation, tremors, excessive sweating, confusion or feeling out of control. These symptoms are sometimes so severe that the person does not feel relaxed until long after waking up and even refuses to go back to sleep. What people are more prone to sleep anxiety? Nocturnal anxiety attacks do not necessarily happen to everyone, and some people are more prone to experience them. This disorder is more common in people who have a certain genetic, psychological or environmental background. In the following, we introduce the people who are more prone to panic attacks in their sleep: - People with a family history of anxiety or depression - People who have a history of anxiety attacks during the day - People with a history of trauma or PTSD - Those who live or work in stressful environments - People who do not have enough regular sleep or have sleep disorders Methods of diagnosing nocturnal anxiety attacks Correct diagnosis of nocturnal anxiety disorder is one of the most important steps in starting effective treatment. By examining the medical and psychological history of the person, the type and intensity of the symptoms and the time of their occurrence, doctors can make the initial diagnosis to a great extent. Sometimes sleep tests or overnight brain activity tests are used to confirm the diagnosis. Also, using a sleep diary, that is, writing down details about sleep time, sleep duration, wake time, and accompanying symptoms, can also provide valuable information to the doctor. Preventing night anxiety attacks with Nourali Clinic services Although nocturnal anxiety attacks are disturbing and debilitating, with proper recognition and appropriate treatment, these attacks can be controlled to a great extent. Medicine is only one of the treatment options, and in many cases, non-drug solutions and psychotherapy play a stronger role in recovery. At Nourali neurology clinic, with the help of a team of experts and knowledgeable about modern treatment methods, we are ready to be by your side and help reduce or even completely eliminate these attacks. Contact us now for expert advice and detailed assessment of your situation.