Nighttime (nocturnal) panic attacks occur with no obvious trigger and wake you up from sleep. As with a daytime panic attack, you may experience sweating, rapid heart rate, trembling, shortness of breath, heavy breathing (hyperventilation), flushing or chills, and a sense of impending doom. These signs and symptoms are quite alarming and can mimic those of a heart attack or other serious medical condition. Although nocturnal panic attacks usually last less than 10 minutes, it may take a while to calm down and go back to sleep after you have one.
It's not known what causes panic attacks. Underlying factors may include genetics, stress and certain changes in the way parts of your brain work. In some cases, an underlying condition such as a sleep disorder can cause panic-like signs and symptoms.
Treatment including medications, mental health counseling (psychotherapy) and relaxation techniques can help prevent panic attacks — and reduce their intensity when they do occur