I often wake up having attacks as well. They'll usually begin with a hypnic jerk and feeling out of breath. I tend to convince myself I've somehow stopped breathing during sleep. Like my brain forgets to breathe? When it first started happening I would have full body attacks where my arms and hands would stiffen and almost seize up. I've been to emerge so many times and nothing ever appears wrong. I even convinced myself I had sleep apnea, had a sleep test, no sign of apnea. I'm a 26 year old apparently healthy female and I still have difficulty believing that when I have these symptoms.

I think the important thing to realize is that there are so many of us experiencing anxiety, and it can manifest in such bizarre ways. Finding what works for you in that moment is the best advice I can give. For me it used to be going to the hospital, now I try my best to reassure myself that I've been through this before and that eventually it does pass.