Nocturnal panic attacks What causes them - Mayo Clinic
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Answer From Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. Nighttime (nocturnal) panic attacks can occur with no obvious trigger and awaken you from sleep. As with a daytime panic attack, you may experience sweating, rapid heart rate, trembling, shortness of breath, heavy breathing (hyperventilation), flushing or chills, and a sense of impending doom. These alarming signs and symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack or another serious medical condition. Although panic attacks are uncomfortable, they are not dangerous. Nocturnal panic attacks usually last only a few minutes, but it may take a while to calm down and go back to sleep after you have one. People who have nocturnal panic attacks also tend to have panic attacks during the day. It's not known what causes panic attacks. Underlying factors may include genetics, stress and certain changes in the way parts of your brain work. In some cases, an underlying condition, such as a sleep disorder or thyroid problem, can cause panic-like signs and symptoms. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and whether you need any tests for a possible underlying condition. Treatment - cognitive behavioral therapy or medications or both - can help prevent panic attacks and reduce their intensity when they do occur. With Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
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Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Depression and anxiety: Can I have both? ShareTweet Jan. 12, 2018 Show references Zak RD, et al. Nightmares and nightmare disorder in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. Panic attack specifier. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. Nakamura M, et al. 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. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2013;9:461. Marchand L, et al. Efficacy of two cognitive-behavioral treatment modalities for panic disorder with nocturnal panic attacks. Behavior Modification. 2013;37:680. Roy-Byrne PP. Panic disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. Roy-Byrne PP, et al. Approach to treating panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. Sawchuk CN (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 1, 2017. See more Expert Answers Products and Services
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