The fact that sleep is abruptly interrupted by a sensation of suffocation is one of the most distressing moments for the human being. In the first place, the fear of suffering greater consequences negatively influences the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that can be used in daily life. In this sense, people who suffer from high levels of anxiety can suffer the after effects through the idea of running out of breath. For this reason, the uncertainty and concern that this problem could extend over time is one of the main reasons that affect the consultations of men and women.
In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about waking up suddenly with a feeling of suffocation due to anxiety: causes and treatment.
In general terms, waking up abruptly due to anxiety choking is an interruption of the sleep cycle due to psychological factors. The reasons may be associated with high stress levels that affect the regulation of Central Nervous System, but that do not cause problems at the biological level. Due to this circumstance, it is necessary to make a distinction with different clinical entities to avoid confusion.
Next, we will talk about how to know if I am waking up abruptly due to anxiety choking:
- excessive sweating: perspiration involves the loss of water in the body. Given this, it is possible that it is due to a state of nervousness that is not linked to a real danger.
- Distress: in global terms, sudden awakening is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort and sadness. In turn, it is convenient to take into account the emotional factors that surround a person to account for anxiety.
- chest pressure: It is common for there to be a sensation of localized discomfort in the chest. This differs from a biological clinical problem, in which other parts of the body are affected.
- Arrhythmia: Anxiety can generate an acceleration in the person's respiratory rate that usually decreases after a few seconds.
Sudden awakenings associated with elevated amounts of anxiety are often linked to certain causes. In this section, we will talk about why I suddenly wake up with a feeling of suffocation due to anxiety:
- Nightmares: The presence of dreams in which stressful situations are glimpsed has a direct relationship with the person's state of mind. In this sense, anxiety is one of the most frequent responses that appear in the face of uncertainty that is revealed in the present and the future.
- daily worries: The fact of not knowing how to handle the worries that arise during the day is one of the main causes that makes it difficult to sleep properly.
- Other associated anxiety disorders: some clinical pictures such as post traumatic stress disorder that are linked to situations that could not be elaborated by the person. This includes moments of abrupt changes such as traffic accidents, loss of work or a loved one, serious illness...
If you have questions related to the medical causes that may be affecting your sleep cycle, it is It is recommended that you go to a medical specialist to evaluate the conditions of the person according to their particularities. In the following article we explain How to know if it is a heart attack or an anxiety attack.
Beyond the inconveniences that this problem can cause, there are some recommendations that can be followed to mitigate the effects that arise. In the following items, we will develop what to do if I suddenly wake up with a feeling of suffocation due to anxiety:
- Perform psychological therapy: One of the alternatives that gives favorable results is the fact of going to a mental health specialist. Therapy is a space that invites reflection on problematic situations of daily life, as well as the development of strategies to combat moments of uncertainty.
- practice relaxation: There are techniques that allow mental and physical relaxation that brings several benefits. You can get to perform guided meditation exercises, since they lead to a concentration in the present. In effect, this provides significant relief for the person.
- Carry out a healthy diet: Some foods relax the central nervous system, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, among others. Likewise, the intake of relaxing infusions before bed helps to control anxiety.
- Doing physical activity: Practicing exercises that involve body movements produces a release of endorphins in the human organism. In short, playing sports according to the interests of each person provides a social environment that generates emotional support.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
Waking up suddenly with a feeling of suffocation due to anxiety: causes and treatment
