Sweating is a thermoregulation mechanism that our brain triggers when we need to decrease body temperature. We experience its effects, for example:
- when we have a fever
- when our body is subjected to intense muscular work
- when we are exposed to high environmental temperatures.
There night sweats (or nocturnal hyperhidrosis) may have different causes:
- environmental (the surrounding environment has a high temperature)
- medical (heavy night sweats can occur, for example, in the period of menopause with boils, be a symptom of endocrinological problems or a sign of withdrawal in the case of pathological addictions)
- psychological (anxiety can cause night sweats).
But why can anxiety manifest itself with excessive night sweats? In this article we will focus on anxiety and night sweats and we will try to understand the causes and possible remedies.
Symptoms of anxiety and night sweats
In biological terms, anxiety is triggered when we perceive an imminent threat and puts us in a position to face it. It does this by activating a series of psychophysical responses that have a adaptive function.
However, when our state of psychic alert it also activates continuously in the absence of a real threatwe are in the presence of pathological anxiety, which manifests itself with various symptoms. The psychological symptoms with which anxiety can present include:
- worry
- nervousness
- irritability
- brooding
- intrusive thoughts.
Among the physical symptoms, anxiety can cause:
- increased heart and respiratory rates
- tremors
- nausea or other symptoms of stomach anxiety
- sleep disorders
- muscle tension
- night or day sweats.
When we experience an anxiety disorder, our body is stimulated by stress hormones and night sweats from anxiety can become a real symptom of no small entity.
What are anxiety night sweats?
Sweating a lot at night can be, like bruxism, one of the psychosomatic symptoms related to anxiety. When an unconscious conflict cannot find expression through words and is not the object of mentalization, it can thus find expression in the body.
Night sweats and anxiety can occur in people with low self-esteem and sensitive to the judgment of others. The symptom can arise even at the mere thought of having contact with another and receiving criticism, having a responsibility, but also feeling the fear of abandonment, the sense of loneliness and the lack of affection.
Worry and states of anxiety find in night sweats a way of expressing ongoing emotional distress.
Night sweats: physiological or pathological?
Not all night sweats indicate a health problem: distinguishing between physiological and pathological sweating can help you understand your body better.
- Physiological sweating: occurs when the body tries to regulate its temperature, for example in hot environments, after consuming large or spicy meals, or during the REM phase of sleep. In these cases, the sweating tends to be moderate and is not accompanied by other worrying symptoms.
- Pathological sweating: manifests itself with recurrent, intense and often sudden episodes, which can wet sheets and pajamas. It is often associated with other symptoms such as tachycardia, anxiety, weight loss or fever. In these cases, sweating may be a sign of underlying medical or psychological conditions.
Recognizing the difference between these two types of sweating is important to understand when it is appropriate to consult a specialist in more detail.
Symptoms of anxiety night sweats
The most common symptoms of anxiety sweating are expressed through the primary sweating which involves:
- the axillary areas
- face, neck and chest
- groin
- palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Having no thermal causes, this type of sweating is defined as “cold”.
Often, when associated with nightmaresanxiety causes cold sweats at night which manifest themselves with a sudden drop in skin temperature, tremors, chills and paleness due to reduced blood flow following sudden peripheral vasoconstriction. For this reason, a state of anxiety at night can cause sweating and some cold shivers.
When hyperhidrosis is not the result of physiological or pathological conditions, it is often attributable to episodes of strong nervousness and an anxiety attack, manifesting itself together with tachycardia, dizziness, pressure on the chest and breathing difficulties.
A testimony to the impact that anxiety-related night sweats can have are the words of many people who write about anxiety and night sweats in various medical forums:
Night sweats due to anxiety: the causes
Anxiety and night and day sweats can occur:
- as a triggering event panic attackputting the person in a state of agitation, fear and worry as they perceive the symptom as a danger signal
- as a secondary manifestation compared to the state of anguish experienced.
In both cases, the causes of night sweats can be traced back to the effects of stress hormones mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, responsible for neuroendocrine response systems.
A parallel role is played byamygdalaa cluster of nervous nuclei belonging to the limbic system, which processes emotional states and is responsible for creating and memorizing memories associated with fear and anxiety.
Causes of night sweats: differences between men and women
The causes of night sweats can vary by gender, influenced by specific hormonal and physiological factors.
- Women: In women, night sweats may be linked to hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopause. The so-called “hot spots” are episodes of intense sweating that can be accompanied by sensations of sudden heat and palpitations. Your menstrual cycle and pregnancy can also affect night sweats.
- Men: In men, night sweats may be related to changes in testosterone levels, work or physical stress, and conditions such as sleep apnea. In both genders, anxiety can act as a trigger or amplify sweating already present from other causes.
Understanding these differences can help you identify more personalized management strategies and recognize when night sweats are a symptom that should not be underestimated.
Primary and secondary night sweats: what can it mean?
Night sweats can be classified as primary or secondarydepending on its origin.
- Primary sweating: This is a condition in which excessive sweating is not linked to an identifiable medical cause. It often appears at a young age and can be influenced by genetic or emotional factors, such as anxiety.
- Secondary sweating: In this case, sweating is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as endocrine disorders (for example, hyperthyroidism), infections, side effects of medications, or psychological disorders such as generalized anxiety. It is important to recognize this distinction, because secondary sweating requires thorough investigation to treat the underlying cause.
If night sweats come on suddenly or are accompanied by other symptoms, it may be helpful to talk to a professional.
Anxiety-induced sweating: correlation with other psychological problems
Who suffers from social anxiety may manifest sudden and profound hyperhidrosis, perceived as a source of embarrassment which, in conjunction with other physical symptoms, over time can lead to isolation and states of depression.
The person may also have sleepless nights due to heat, sweat and anxiety. As with anxiety tremor, highly emotional situations they are able to trigger physical reactions such as night and day sweats in the neck or other parts of the body.
There is a correlation between anxiety and night sweats performance anxiety? Performance anxiety sweating is very common and those affected may find themselves ruminating about future situations before falling asleep and throughout the night: thus, anxiety, stress and night sweats can cause insomniaitching and hot flashes.
Night anxiety and sweating: natural remedies
Among the natural remedies that can be used in case of night sweats due to anxiety, we find, in the first places, the use of sage-based supplements, which regulate and reduce the production of sweat due to stress.
However, for greater benefit it is recommended contact a specialist able to investigate the causes of night sweats related to anxiety and to suggest the learning of self-regulation strategies which:
- relaxation techniques such as autogenic training
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which uses mindfulness for anxiety and stress management
- E. Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation
- diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
Practical tips for managing night sweats
In addition to natural remedies and relaxation techniques, some practical strategies can help manage night sweats and improve the quality of your sleep.
- Choose appropriate clothing: wearing pajamas in natural fabrics such as cotton or linen promotes perspiration and reduces the sensation of heat.
- Take care of the rest environment: Keeping the room cool and well ventilated, using light sheets and, if necessary, a fan or air conditioner, can help prevent heat buildup.
- Pay attention to nutrition: Avoiding large meals, spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine in the evening hours can reduce the likelihood of night sweats.
- Relaxing evening routine: Taking time to do relaxation techniques like reading, meditation, or taking a warm shower before bed can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
These measures, if adopted consistently, can help make nights more peaceful and limit, in some cases, the impact of night sweats.
When to see a doctor: warning signs
In some cases, night sweats can be a sign of a condition that requires medical attention. It is important not to underestimate some warning signs:
- Intense and sudden sweating: if night sweats appear suddenly and without an apparent cause, it is advisable to investigate further.
- Presence of other symptoms: Fever, unintentional weight loss, persistent pain, palpitations, or difficulty breathing may indicate an underlying medical cause.
- Severe sleep disorders: if night sweats significantly compromise the quality of sleep and daily life, it is advisable to consult a specialist.
- Family history of pathologies: the presence of endocrine, cardiac or oncological diseases in the family can increase the risk of secondary sweating.
Recognizing these signs and talking to a doctor can help you identify any problems early and receive the most appropriate support.
Psychological therapy to deal with anxiety-related night sweats
When anxiety and stress cause night sweats, and this happens recurrently and persistently, hyperhidrosis can be disabling and lead to an obsession with sweat and exacerbate other symptoms related to anxious states. Resort to psychotherapy can prove to be an effective solution.
With the help of a specialist, such as an anxiety psychologist, who will be able to use specific tools such as anxiety tests, it will be possible to receive an accurate diagnosis and learn to manage anxious states. Psychological therapy can promote greater personal awareness and self-confidence, to try to leave behind symptoms such as night sweats due to anxiety, which until recently affected the quality of life.
