Panic attacks are recognized by the medical community as a physical condition that requires treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Like panic attacks that occur while she is awake, night panic attacks can be frightening, waking a woman with sweats, rapid heartbeat and a sense of loss of control. Night panic attacks typically last about 10 minutes and may leave a woman with chest pain, chills or nausea. While there is no definitive research that explains the origin of panic attacks, there are a number of causes that may contribute to the disorder.
Stress
Panic attacks trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response that is responsible for physical reactions. Stress often contributes to this anxiety. Various factors in a woman’s past that can precipitate panic attacks include sexual molestation, rape or other violent attack, the birth of a child or death of a loved one. A history of abuse from childhood can lead to panic attacks in adult women.
Sleep Disorder
Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can trigger shortness of breath that the brain interprets as near death. The physical condition then triggers an emotional response in the sleeping woman and results in a panic attack that wakens her. A woman may not realize that she actually stopped breathing momentarily and may develop additional fears about repeating the experience. Worrying about having another panic attack then can lead to additional sleeping problems. Obese women are especially at risk for respiratory disorders when sleeping.
Genetics
Mayo Clinic doctors report that genetics may play a role in panic attacks that occur both during the day and while sleeping. Women with a family history of night attacks are at a higher risk of developing the disorder.
Psychiatric Disorders
According to the Cleveland Clinic, mental-health disorders such as anxiety disorder and depression can lead to sleeping problems and night panic attacks. The mental-health issues that cause the sleeplessness exacerbate the disorder during the day, creating a cycle of mental illness that is compounded because of the lack of sleep. Women who are especially tense and nervous during the day usually have a higher risk of having night panic attacks as well.
Substance Abuse
While drugs and alcohol may help women get to sleep, the substances actually disrupt normal sleeping patterns, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Women who rely on chemicals to sleep may undergo mild withdrawal symptoms during the night, adding to the sleep interruptions and causing panic attacks. Substance abuse adds to the cycle of day and nighttime consequences and increases the risk of panic attacks and physical and mental problems.
