A 21-year-old member asked:
what are reasons for sleep disorder and panic attacks?
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. K. Olson answered
Psychiatry 39 years experience
Apnea or RLS?: Startling awake can precipitate nocturnal panic. Startling can be due gasping of obstructive or central sleep apnea. Restlessness due to RLS or periodic limb movement disorder can prompt sudden flexion of any extremity causing abrupt sleep disruption. Nightmares or night terrors can present as panic too. If near death experiences approaching the blackness of sleep can trigger recall.
6070 views
Dr. David Duhon answered
Sleep Medicine 35 years experience
Nocturnal panic: If you are waking up with panic attacks, you should get evaluated for a sleep disorder. I've seen a number of cases of nocturnal panic attacks triggered by sleep apnea.
6038 views
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Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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