It’s not unusual to experience anxiety at night. For many people, getting to sleep and staying asleep is not easy.
In bed at night, your environment may be calm, but you may feel that your mind is racing and your thoughts can’t be stopped. Perhaps you’re thinking about your morning to-do list or maybe you’re focused on other worries about the day ahead.
This anxiety could keep you from getting enough sleep.
Anxiety and lack of sleep
There are documented links between anxiety and lack of quality sleep.
A 2013 study found that people prone to anxiety are very sensitive to the effects of lack of sleep, and that insufficient sleep can trigger symptoms of anxiety. And a 2019 study found that intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity were both correlated with insomnia severity and poor sleep quality.
Additionally, if you’re unable to fall or stay asleep, you may start to worry that you won’t get enough sleep before it’s time to wake up. This can make falling asleep even more difficult and it may make you feel more anxious.
The symptoms of anxiety at night
No matter the time of day you experience anxiety, the symptoms are usually pretty similar. These can include:
- A sense of impending doom, danger, or panic
- Nervousness or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- An increased heart rate and rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Fatigue or weakness
- Gastrointestinal problems
If anxiety is making it hard for you to sleep, you may also have symptoms of insomnia, such as:
- Nonrestorative sleep (sleep that doesn’t leave you feeling refreshed)
- Low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Difficulty at work or school
Panic attack at night
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that spikes within minutes. During this time, four or more of the following symptoms occur:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating, shaking, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath or feeling like you’re choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or stomach issues
- Chills or heat sensations
- Numbness or tingling sensations
In addition, you may experience:
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from yourself)
- Fear of losing control or dying
If you deal with panic attacks, you may have them at night as well as during the day.
Although a nighttime panic attack typically lasts only a few minutes, it may take more time for you to settle down and get back to sleep.
Tell your doctor if you experience nighttime panic attacks. They may have suggestions to help you deal with panic attacks at night or strategies for getting back to sleep.
