I have panic attacks diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder.Recently i have been having nightmares and when i awake i am in full-blown panic attack.It is most always with a nightmare, but occasionally i wake having a panic attack without having a nightmare.I am wondering if i am having night terrors, panic attacks causing nightmares, or nightmares causing panic attacks.I take medication for this but i have gotten better with panic attacks during the day and have almost ended medication and now this has started.Someone please help.
Absolutely. One can set off the other. It happens to me. You can develop a bad habit of dreaming based on repetitive daily thinking ie.., anxious thoughts, worries, chronic stress etc.., . Many times you can be dealing with a post-trauma that is unresolved. See PTSD help. Also, a very intelligent doctor who has researched extensively on dreaming and nightmares feels they are a learned response. She gave me instructions to take 3 specific 15 minute time outs a day and day dream positive thoughts such as a beach or vacation you like. I look at a beach magazine with great pictures. It amazed me how much that helped. When I get away from doing that, the nightmares return. In other words your daytime thinking greatly influences nighttime thoughts and panic so change your thinking during the day. Also, classical music is very helpful in balancing brain activity. Take Care
P.S. The only drug I have truly found helpful for panic is clonazepam, as needed, at a very low dose. I have consumed very little of it (1/4 tablet) over the past year correcting my daytime thinking. It is good knowing it is a backup if needed or something sets you off.
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Night panic attacks are very possible
I take BuSpar at night to help decrease them
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You can be having a panic attack based on the dream you were having, but it doesnt necessarilly mean its night terrors. Are you on meds for anxiety if so speak to your doctor about it and maybe you both can figure it out. Good Luck!!
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Hi I have panic attacks as well and in my case the panic attacks causes the nightmares. And both of my children have night terrors and their Doctor said that there terrors are from changes in their every day life. Like a move or a death. Starting school or a parent starting a new job. You understand. I hope this helped!
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My guess is that the panic attacks are causing the nightmares. And I think that night terrors is mostly a problem with children, and they don't awaken during the night terrors, and therefore don't remember them. If this problem is persistent, then I would suggest talking to your doctor about not stopping the medication or trying a new one.
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Panic attacks and Nightmares are both a result of extreme daily stress and anxiety. Nightmares are usually brought about by unresolved stress during the day, worrying about many things and thinking about them just before going to bed does not help. It is good that you are taking medication for the panic atttacks, they can be so bad at times that they can actually cause heart palpatations and chest pain. I am a psychiatric nurse and many times people are diagnosed in the ED. They come in thinking they are having a heart attack and it turns out to be a panic attack…these are very real and can alter your life…as you very well know.
With the nightmares, I think I can offer some helpful solutions….begin a nightly routine of doing something very relaxing, calming music, soak in a bath-tub, use a sound machine, meditate, do guided imagery, use lavender in a diffuser. I sell a special blend of essential oils called Sleep Baby and I have had many many satisfied clients.
References :
http://www.stressdynamics.com
Absolutely. One can set off the other. It happens to me. You can develop a bad habit of dreaming based on repetitive daily thinking ie.., anxious thoughts, worries, chronic stress etc.., . Many times you can be dealing with a post-trauma that is unresolved. See PTSD help. Also, a very intelligent doctor who has researched extensively on dreaming and nightmares feels they are a learned response. She gave me instructions to take 3 specific 15 minute time outs a day and day dream positive thoughts such as a beach or vacation you like. I look at a beach magazine with great pictures. It amazed me how much that helped. When I get away from doing that, the nightmares return. In other words your daytime thinking greatly influences nighttime thoughts and panic so change your thinking during the day. Also, classical music is very helpful in balancing brain activity. Take Care
P.S. The only drug I have truly found helpful for panic is clonazepam, as needed, at a very low dose. I have consumed very little of it (1/4 tablet) over the past year correcting my daytime thinking. It is good knowing it is a backup if needed or something sets you off.
References :
http://www.amenclinics.com