Panic attacks can happen in peri-menopausal and menopausal women. Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to matter whether she was prone to panic attacks before the beginning of the menopausal process. Researchers believe that the hormonal fluctuations caused by menopause are the culprit.
When we imagine panic attacks, we tend to think of them as moments of unreasonable and intense fear. This may be true in some cases, but there are several others where that is only a small part of the incident or not reported at all. Peri-menopausal and menopausal women who suffered panic attacks have reported other feelings like unusual and intense energy, rushes of energy that felt similar to an electric current, hot/prickly sensations, intense heat, burning pain, wave-like motion, vibration, an intense cold feeling, and tingling sensations.
Caffeine and alcohol can trigger panic attacks because they stimulate activity in the brain. Sleep always plays a prominent role in the level of anxiety you are experiencing. If you don’t sleep well you are way more likely to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. It can be a vicious cycle.
Be sure you follow some simple rules for ‘sleep helps’ in your bedroom. No TV in bedroom, no cell phone or computer use a couple hours before sleep. That is a tall order in the days of such instant technology but you may find it is well worth your effort. You need a time to ‘calm down’ before actually trying to go to sleep. Reading is an ‘old’ remedy for relaxing before trying to sleep too.
Don’t forget the exercise – a few good long stretches and deep breaths before bed time or a brisk walk may just be the ticket.
Drinking water is very important too — so stay hydrated. It all works together to help alleviate your stress.
If you find yourself not having relief using simple self-help steps you should see your doctor.
