What is a nocturnal panic attack?
A nocturnal (night) panic attack is a sudden feeling of fear that wakes you from sleep. You wake up in a state of panic, experiencing physical reactions like a racing heart, sweating and difficulty breathing (gasping for air).
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How common are nocturnal panic attacks?
About 11% of Americans experience a panic attack every year. As many as 7 in 10 people with panic disorder (recurrent panic attacks) also have nocturnal panic attacks.
What’s the difference between nocturnal panic attacks and night terrors?
Night terrors are a disruptive sleep disorder (parasomnia). A person experiencing a night terror has symptoms like those of a nocturnal panic attack. One key difference is awareness.
People experiencing night terrors are often unaware they’re having them. They may look like they’re awake — and they may scream, jump out of bed and run around. They’re actually asleep, and it’s difficult (and often not recommended) to wake them. When a night terror ends, a person falls back to sleep. They may not remember the event in the morning. Children are more likely to have night terrors, although adults have them, too.
A panic attack wakes you from sleep. You’re aware of the feelings of fear and other panic attack symptoms. It may take a long time to fall asleep again. Nocturnal panic attacks primarily affect teens and adults.
