Anxiety Attacks While Sleeping

Is it possible to have an anxiety attack while you sleep?

Anxiety Question:

Is it possible to have an anxiety attack while you sleep?

I woke up this morning feeling like I'd had an anxiety attack!
I was having trouble breathing, my heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I had just had a nightmare about my husband; I’m currently going through a divorce.

Anxiety Answer:

Yes, I get anxiety attacks occasionally while sleeping.

It's horrible, because in the few moments before I wake up completely it's incredibly scary not knowing what's happening.

Sounds like you're in a really stressful time at the moment, so that's why it's happening.

You could try cutting out caffeine (including chocolate) and not drinking too much alcohol before you go to bed - I find that helps.

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More about anxiety, sleep and tiredness:

• Too much sleep while having anxiety and depression?
• Does anxiety disorder cause tiredness and laziness?
• Can anxiety disorder make you sleepy and tired all the time?
• Can insomnia cause anxiety?

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Dealing with Anxiety Advice

Get Off Of The Treadmill Of Anxiety

"When life seems very hard, it is akin to being on a treadmill that never ends. We're on the uphill treadmill of stress: the more stressed we become, the more likely we are to interpret events and judge others in a negative manner. The more we assign negative interpretations to events, the more depressed we feel. It is a terrible, self-perpetuating uphill battle. But it can be beaten and you'll find lots of ways to get you off the treadmill in this book."

From the book titled "Conquering Stress" by Chris Green