Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is the Connection Between Anxiety and Night Sweats?

B. Koch
B. Koch

Anxiety and night sweats are closely related, as individuals experiencing high anxiety are more likely to suffer from them. Menopausal women are especially at risk for both symptoms. Practicing relaxation as well as monitoring environmental conditions can help relieve these problems.

Individuals who sustain constant high levels of stress throughout their lives may experience anxiety and night sweats. Night sweats caused by anxiety are typically due to spikes in adrenaline that occur while one is sleeping. These night sweats can disturb sleep and if they happen often enough and may result in sleeplessness, which increases stress and promotes the cycle of anxiety and night sweats.

A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.

It is common for menopausal women to experience night sweats. This may be due to a number of triggers. For example, the low estrogen levels a woman experiences during menopause result in the body being less able to control its temperature. Decreased estrogen production can also result in menopausal women experiencing high levels of anxiety, which is a common trigger of night sweats. Changes in estrogen levels impact the body’s levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and melatonin, all chemicals that the body uses to stabilize mood and emotion.

Night sweats are often the result of anxiety.
Night sweats are often the result of anxiety.

In order to control anxiety induced night sweats, the anxiety causing the problem must be addressed. Dealing with stress and anxiety can be difficult, yet there are some remedies that can be implemented at home. Reducing caffeine consumption can be helpful, as can regular exercise. Making time to relax is also important. If these methods don’t help, it is important to see a doctor or a therapist who can help treat the anxiety.

If not sweats are common without anxiety or environmental reasons, a doctor should be consulted.
If not sweats are common without anxiety or environmental reasons, a doctor should be consulted.

Although anxiety and night sweats are closely related, night sweats may be further encouraged by environmental or behavioral actions. For example, sleeping in an overly warm room or in a bed with too many blankets can result in night sweats or make night sweats triggered by anxiety even worse. Consuming hot or spicy foods before bed can also result in excessive sweating, as can smoking, drinking, alcohol, or consuming diet pills. Certain medications have also been known to result in night sweats.

Night sweats are often due to spikes in adrenaline caused by anxiety.
Night sweats are often due to spikes in adrenaline caused by anxiety.

Usually night sweats are not dangerous, and there is no need to consult a doctor. Yet in rare cases, night sweats can be a symptom of a more severe problem, such as an infection, tuberculosis, or some cancers. If night sweats occur frequently and are not the result of anxiety or environmental factors, a doctor should be consulted.

Discussion Comments

umbra21

My mother thought she was going through menopause early, because she would often wake up in the middle of the night, sweating and feeling afraid, but it turned out that those were actually sleep apnea symptoms.

She had to go to a sleep clinic to be diagnosed in the end, but they have given her this weird mask device to help stop her from not breathing properly at night.

KoiwiGal

@irontoenail - Most studies seem to show that even people who think they can go without sleep are only kidding themselves. Without a full eight hours most people show lower reflexes and intelligence and immunity.

I have actually heard it be suggested that the fact that people don't sleep enough is one of the reasons for all the health problems people get these days.

There's not much you can do if you've got an anxiety disorder except try to keep the same hours and practice stress relieving techniques before bed. But it's not just that it's unpleasant to be woken up in the middle of the night with night sweats. You could also be doing yourself harm just by denying your body the sleep it needs.

irontoenail

I find that I can't work up until the point where I'm expecting to go to sleep. Even if I do manage to sleep, I'll wake up and be tense or sweating or even in pain from anxiety symptoms.

I've got to make myself stop and wind down at least a couple of hours before bed time, either by reading or by doing something else that isn't connected to a computer screen.

Otherwise I will basically not get a decent amount of sleep and if it keeps on happening I get sick pretty quickly. I envy people who can go without sleep for long periods.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
      By: Anita Potter
      A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
    • Night sweats are often the result of anxiety.
      By: dandaman
      Night sweats are often the result of anxiety.
    • If not sweats are common without anxiety or environmental reasons, a doctor should be consulted.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      If not sweats are common without anxiety or environmental reasons, a doctor should be consulted.
    • Night sweats are often due to spikes in adrenaline caused by anxiety.
      By: Kablonk Micro
      Night sweats are often due to spikes in adrenaline caused by anxiety.
    • Anxiety is characterized by heart palpitations and intense feelings of worry.
      By: kmiragaya
      Anxiety is characterized by heart palpitations and intense feelings of worry.
    • Night sweats are typically not dangerous.
      By: camrocker
      Night sweats are typically not dangerous.