I get panic attacks and something strange at night too. I've googled sleep paralysis and night terrors and it doesn't totally fit what I experience. I can't really find words to describe the experience I have because it's so strange. It's a totally altered state of consciousness and the sensations in my body are really weird and distressing. Kind of like these really strong tremors inside my body. I sometimes wonder if I've had some type of brain seizure, or if I'm about to. And when I try and get up and walk, my legs are literally like jelly. It's definitely different from the panic attacks that I get during the day.

With my night "episodes", they always happen within one hour of falling asleep. Now when I wake up in that state I pretty much know exactly what time it's going to be when I look at my watch. It's always about an hour after I feel asleep. Thankfully these episodes are usually over quickly. Within a few minutes. And now that I've had a few of them and kind of know what they are, it's easier for me to deal with them.

It helps to talk about it too. Thanks for starting this topic, mistyeyed. I'm glad you're able to calm yourself when you have your night terrors.