	AllExperts > Panic Disorders/Attacks
	Search

About Jurriaan Plesman
Expertise
I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am interested in the connection between mood disorders and nutrition. I have had many years of counselling people with a variety of emotional problems, such as Depression, Anxiety Attacks and Self-Esteem Problems, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, Gambling, as well as the whole gamut of personality disorders. I am also the editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia. Its web site, with a self-help course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited free of charge at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Experience

Organizations
Editor of the Hypoglycemic health Association of Australia

web site;

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Publications
Author of the book:
"Getting off the Hook", It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.

Education/Credentials
Graduated in Psychology at Sydney University and Post Grad Dipl In Clinical Nutrition and Psychotherapy

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Mental Health > Panic Disorders/Attacks > night time atacks

Panic Disorders/Attacks - night time atacks

Expert: Jurriaan Plesman - 10/21/2007

Question
Dear Jurrian
I am a 57yr old lady who for the past 4yrs has been experiencing supposed panic attacks at night time. These attacks follow the same identical pattern and I am wondering about the connection between these and blood sugar levels.
The attacks always happen shortly after I go to bed,before sleep, the first sign of an attack is a hot band of heat which goes around my head and the back of my neck, after which my heart starts to race and shortly after that I have diarrhoea followed by extreme shaking which can last for hours it is very frightening I have tried meditation and try not to over breath or panic too much but as I am on my own I get very frightened. I have had these attacks for approx 4yrs and dr's have prescribed beta blockers amitriptyline and pericyacine which I take at night time. I dont seem to have undue stress though I am a worrier. Specialist here in Brisbane could not seem to find a cause. my dr just said to add vallium to my pescription during an attack. I am having approx 1 attack per 2 months.
However I have noticed shaking without attacks on waking up and if I eat carbs for breakfast I need to sleep.
I would be so grateful for any help you may be able to give me thank you Hazel.

Answer
Dear Hazel,

If doctors cannot find a good reason it is more than likely that you may have hypoglycemia. This can be tested with the

The four hour medical Test for Hypoglycemia explained at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/testing_hypoglycemia.html

or a good home test is

The Nutrition-Behavior Inventory Questionnaire (NBI) at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/nutrition-behavior_inventory.html

The reason is explained in:

What is Hypoglycemia at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

The Serotonin Connection at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

Beating Anxiety and Phobias at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/beating_anxiety.html

Also read

“The Biochemistry of Insomnia”at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/insomnia.html

I would try out going on a hypoglycemic diet as at

The Hypoglycemic Diet at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypoglycemic_diet.html

Also look up

yourhealth.com at:
http://www.yourhealth.com.au/centredirectory/centre-search.php.

I believe they have a branch in Brisbane, they may be able to help you if you cannot resolve the problem.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search

Add to this Answer Ask a Question