Article by Jenny Hunt
Remember being afraid of the dark? Or maybe that there was a monster hiding under your bed? Night time can be a frightening time, for children and adults alike. Okay, so maybe as a grown adult you no longer are afraid of the dark or of monsters lurking about, but some adults still do suffer night panic attacks.
Night panic attacks are by far rarer than panic attacks during the day, but they can and do happen. Though somewhat extraordinary, night panic or anxiety attacks don’t require any special or different treatment than day time panic attacks.
So just how is a panic attack treated? First and foremost, if you even suspect that you may have had a panic attack, go to your doctor. It is extremely important to have a thorough physical examination, as panic attacks can often be a side effect of a more serious respiratory or cardiovascular issue, such as Wolff-Parkinson’s Disease. Sleeping disorders, like sleep apnea, often also cause anxiety and are a prominent cause for night time panic attacks. If you are suffering a more serious disorder, typically once these are treated, the panic attacks subside.
Once any other more serious ailments are ruled out, with help of a counselor or doctor you may then start looking into how to treat your panic disorder directly. The first solution you most likely will be given are prescribed medications. As a note of caution: medications are a short term solution and, when discontinued, the symptoms of the disorder typically return. It is important to use the medications in conjunction with another form of treatment, such as behavior therapy. If you are having night time panic attacks, your physician may also prescribe a sleeping medication, such as Ambien, to help you get some rest. Again, bear in mind that this is a short term solution and you must be wary to not become dependent on any drug for sleep.
As an alternative to Ambien, anti-histamines such as Benadryl may also be useful in trying to help you with sleep. Anti-histamines have a mild sedative effect and are also not as addictive and potent as sleeping pills. Remember to consult your doctor before you choose any sort of medications, as self medication is harmful and potentially very dangerous.
A more safe way to treat your night time panic condition would be to go by natural means. There are some great natural herbs on the market which offer assistance with sleep. You can use the herbs in a relaxing night-time tea, or sprinkle them on your dinner. Deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques also work wonders when trying to sleep. Take a night time stroll around the neighborhood and a hot bath to completely soothe your mind, body and soul.
No matter which treatment method you use, remember to seek out the treatment and resources you need to be successful. Panic attacks are curable. Take control of your life again and live anxiety free.
About the Author
Hi, my name is Jenny Hunt and I used to suffer from chronic panic attacks before stumbling upon a solution that changed my life. If you wish to learn more about panic attacks at night and how to treat this condition, feel free to visit http://www.panic-attack-remedy.com