I've had panic attcks before, and usually they came when I was trying to fall asleep like you said when everyone around was asleep. It always helped me to watch tv, or read, or get up and do anything to get my mind off it until I literally fall asleep. They can be the most terrifying things in the world, but just remember that everything is okay no matter what your body is telling you, if your body was really in some sort of trouble, you wouldn't be able to worry about it. Try very hard to relax, and if you need to, wake someone up to talk to you or sit with you until you fall asleep.

I go through this too, I find cold water dabed on my face or going outside to feel the cold air helps, I don't know what brings them on but I know now that I have to control them and tell yourself that you are ok.