Hi I had a panic/anxiety attack the other day while I was sleeping? I woke up and I had the shivers and felt lightheaded and so forth. My legs felt heavy and my heart was racing. I went to get my blood pressure taken that same nigh and it was normal along with my vital signs. Ever since then I have a fear that there is something wrong with me and my heart I am very anxious and it bothers me. I did suffer something similar last year during this same time. Could this be a pattern I am experiencing with the time of year? I am 37 years old. Any help would be great
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12/15/08 6:20pm
If it were to increase in frequency i might be concerned and seek a therapist to check it out but most people have 2-3 episodes a year of an unidentified nightmare - they may not even be aware of the nightmare part - and suddenly come out of a deeper stage of sleep with the physical symptoms you had. It passes quickly and it can feel shocking and upsetting. The cause is the act of suddenly rising from "deep sleep" rather than gently coming awake.
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By rosa— Last Modified: 10/20/10, First Published: 12/15/08
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