At least 20% of the world’s population today experience nocturnal panic attacks once in their lives. If you belong to this 20%, you should read on and learn about nocturnal panic attacks. This condition is usually common in young children and young adults, and most senior adults. This could be due to a stressful activity or coping problems due to separation from parents or loved ones. These panic or stress attacks usually occur at nighttime. Panic attacks usually occur more frequently during daytime and only occasionally at nighttime.
Nocturnal panic attacks are harder to diagnose. Because of its occurrence at nighttime, it is always misdiagnosed as a nightmare or a bad dream. Recurrent nocturnal panic attack can be associated with sleep disorder. Nocturnal panic attacks are sometimes very intense that if you frequently suffer from it you would be afraid to go to sleep. This can drain your strength and lower your immunity.
What you can do about nocturnal panic attacks.
As with other panic attacks, the best way to treat nocturnal panic attacks is understanding it. Education, medication and psychotherapy are three of the best ways to treat nocturnal panic attacks. “Know your enemy” is not just an idiom, it applies in treating all ailments, and conditions, knowing what you are combating will prepare you to strategise on how you could defeat it and how you could prevent it from defeating you.
Psychotherapy will teach you how to deal with nocturnal panic attacks. You will have to learn relaxation skills as well as learn coping abilities. A person with a positive and cheerful disposition will be likely to overcome nocturnal panic attacks than those who have a sour disposition or who are pessimistic. Your loved ones can also act as your support group, discuss with them possible psychotherapy activities that they can help you with.
You should only take in medication if other remedies have failed or if the condition is disabling and there is a need to give medication simultaneous with other treatments.
You should also stop smoking, stop excessive drinking of alcoholic drinks, and reduce your caffeine intake all of these things trigger nocturnal panic attacks. You should also refrain from stressful situations and activities.
If it is your child who is experiencing nocturnal panic attacks sleep in his room and reassure him that you are just nearby if he needed you. Your reassurance will make him relaxed and safe. Be sure to make him comfortable when he sleeps; elevate some parts of his body by putting pillows under an arm or a leg. This will encourage better blood circulation and a more relaxed sleep.
Do not let a child who is suffering from nocturnal panic attacks watch horror movies before bedtime this can trigger scary thoughts, which may trigger panic attacks. Young adults who are suffering from nocturnal panic attacks because of separation from parents (coping with growing up) should be reassured of parental love and concern.
