What Are Nocturnal Panic Attacks?

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Nocturnal panic attacks occur while a person is sleeping. They cause a person to wake from sleep with symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, profuse sweating, and difficulty breathing.

All panic attacks can be frightening experiences, but they can be even more terrifying if they startle you out of your sleep. Nocturnal panic attacks can potentially contribute to sleep disturbances and leave you feeling tired throughout your day.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for nocturnal panic attacks. It also explores some of the steps you can take to prevent them from happening.

Symptoms of Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Nocturnal panic attacks can occur with no obvious trigger and awaken you from sleep. Somatic sensations, such as sweating, heart palpitations, and chest pain are common. Strong emotions combined with troublesome physical sensations may contribute to fear that the attack will lead to a loss of control over oneself.

As with panic attacks during the day, nocturnal panic attacks occur when a person experiences four or more of the following symptoms:

Even though panic attack symptoms typically reach a peak within a few minutes before gradually subsiding, the effects of the attack can impact the person much longer. Excess worry and fear associated with this experience can often lead toinsomnia.

Panic attacks are most commonly associated with panic disorder but have also been known to occur along with other mental health conditions, such as depression,post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD),agoraphobia, andspecific phobias.

How to Recognize and Cope With Panic Attack Symptoms

Causes of Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Researchers are still trying to understand why some people experience nocturnal panic attacks. What they do know is that nocturnal panic attacks are frequent in people with panic disorders. Up to 71% of people with daytime panic attacks report experiencing a nocturnal panic attack at least once.

That said, experts have identified some factors that can make a person more likely to have nocturnal panic attacks:

Most nocturnal panics take place during non-REM sleep, primarily in stages 2 and 3. This means they’re not a response to Stage 4sleep terrors. This also means that nocturnal panic attacks are different from nightmares, which mostly occur during REM sleep.

Nocturnal Panic Attacks vs. Night Terrors

Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disorder that leads to episodes of intense fear. While they share some similar symptoms, night terrors and nocturnal panic attacks differ.

Like nocturnal panic attacks, night terrors can involve symptoms of fear such as rapid breathing, racing heartbeat, and excessive sweating. However, they often also cause symptoms that are not characteristic of nocturnal panic attacks such as aggressive behavior and vocalizations such asyelling or screaming.

While nocturnal panic attacks cause the individual to awaken suddenly and remember the experience, people often have no memory of the night terror when they wake.

Risk Factors Associated With Panic Disorder

Treatments for Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) has been found effective in treating both daytime and nocturnal panic attacks.In CBT, a therapist helps a person understand and confront their symptoms in a safe environment.

CBT empowers people with techniques to better manage their panic-induced anxiety and develop bettersleep hygiene.

CBT for Panic Disorder

Prescription medications

In addition to or instead of therapy, a doctor may prescribe one or more medications to help treat anxiety. Treatment withselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)orbenzodiazepineshas been shown to be especially effective in treating people who have nocturnal panic attacks.

Panic attacks are often treated with prescribed medication. Medications such asantidepressantsand anti-anxiety drugs may assist in lessening the frequency and intensity of nocturnal panic attacks.

Coping With Nocturnal Panic Attacks

The biggest problem with nocturnal panic attacks is that, because they happen without warning, you’re unable to prepare or “talk yourself down.” Though it may seem like things are out of your control, there are several things you can do to manage your attack andget back to sleep:

Though these steps can help, it’s important that you seek professional help if your panic attacks are becoming more frequent or they are impacting other aspects of your life.

What to Do After a Panic Attack

Preventing Nocturnal Panic Attacks

While there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of having a nocturnal panic attack, there are steps you can take that may lower your risk. Prevention strategies that can help include:

Getting professional treatment for anxiety, including psychotherapy and medication, may also help prevent nocturnal panic attacks. Treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of your anxiety symptoms, which often decreases the likelihood of having a nocturnal panic attack.

Do I Have Sleep Anxiety?

A Word From Verywell

Daytime panic attacks on their own are immensely stressful events. Experiencing a panic attack at night can be downright terrifying. But the good news is that help is available.

If you believe you are having nocturnal panic attacks, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. There are manyeffective treatmentsand strategies that help people overcome both daytime and nocturnal panic attacks. With the help of your doctor, you can find the treatment that is most effective for you.

If you or a loved one are struggling with [condition name], contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with [condition name], contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Craske MG, Tsao JCI.Assessment and treatment of nocturnal panic attacks.Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9(3):173-184. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2004.11.003Hauri PJ, Friedman M, Ravaris CL.Sleep in patients with spontaneous panic attacks.Sleep. 1989;12(4):323-337. doi:10.1093/sleep/12.4.323American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder.Craske MG, Lang AJ, Aikins D, Mystkowski JL.Cognitive behavioral therapy for nocturnal panic.Behav Ther. 2005;36(1):43-54. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80053-XNakamura M, Sugiura T, Nishida S, Komada Y, Inoue Y.Is nocturnal panic a distinct disease category? Comparison of clinical characteristics among patients with primary nocturnal panic, daytime panic, and coexistence of nocturnal and daytime panic.J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(5):461-467. doi:10.5664/jcsm.2666Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Craske MG, Tsao JCI.Assessment and treatment of nocturnal panic attacks.Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9(3):173-184. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2004.11.003Hauri PJ, Friedman M, Ravaris CL.Sleep in patients with spontaneous panic attacks.Sleep. 1989;12(4):323-337. doi:10.1093/sleep/12.4.323American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder.Craske MG, Lang AJ, Aikins D, Mystkowski JL.Cognitive behavioral therapy for nocturnal panic.Behav Ther. 2005;36(1):43-54. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80053-XNakamura M, Sugiura T, Nishida S, Komada Y, Inoue Y.Is nocturnal panic a distinct disease category? Comparison of clinical characteristics among patients with primary nocturnal panic, daytime panic, and coexistence of nocturnal and daytime panic.J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(5):461-467. doi:10.5664/jcsm.2666Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Craske MG, Tsao JCI.Assessment and treatment of nocturnal panic attacks.Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9(3):173-184. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2004.11.003Hauri PJ, Friedman M, Ravaris CL.Sleep in patients with spontaneous panic attacks.Sleep. 1989;12(4):323-337. doi:10.1093/sleep/12.4.323American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder.Craske MG, Lang AJ, Aikins D, Mystkowski JL.Cognitive behavioral therapy for nocturnal panic.Behav Ther. 2005;36(1):43-54. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80053-XNakamura M, Sugiura T, Nishida S, Komada Y, Inoue Y.Is nocturnal panic a distinct disease category? Comparison of clinical characteristics among patients with primary nocturnal panic, daytime panic, and coexistence of nocturnal and daytime panic.J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(5):461-467. doi:10.5664/jcsm.2666

Craske MG, Tsao JCI.Assessment and treatment of nocturnal panic attacks.Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9(3):173-184. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2004.11.003

Hauri PJ, Friedman M, Ravaris CL.Sleep in patients with spontaneous panic attacks.Sleep. 1989;12(4):323-337. doi:10.1093/sleep/12.4.323

American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder.

Craske MG, Lang AJ, Aikins D, Mystkowski JL.Cognitive behavioral therapy for nocturnal panic.Behav Ther. 2005;36(1):43-54. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80053-X

Nakamura M, Sugiura T, Nishida S, Komada Y, Inoue Y.Is nocturnal panic a distinct disease category? Comparison of clinical characteristics among patients with primary nocturnal panic, daytime panic, and coexistence of nocturnal and daytime panic.J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(5):461-467. doi:10.5664/jcsm.2666

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

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