Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 223440

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I'm scared to fall asleep!

Posted by elisha on April 30, 2003, at 13:29:35

When I was about 8 (now I'm 31) While I was dreaming I started to step out of what I thought to be a door (in my dream) and a moment before I stepped out I woke up and realized it was the large window of the room about 30 feet above the gruond!
I have a history of talking in my sleep and also sleep walking. Since that incident I have trouble with my sleep. I can only fall asleep when total eggsaustion sets in and found myself sleeping during the day during class or when I would watch T.V.. There were many small events but another major sleep related event happened when I was much older while I was stationed at an army base in a hostile area. We had practice attack drills every night and slept fully clothed including our boots. When the alarm was sounded it was my job to run up to the roof position and man the heavy machine gun. What happened one night really had me scared! When the alarm sounded I got out of bed and started runing to my position but in actuality I was still sleeping! When I got to the roof I continued running strait instead of turning to my right where my position was. The only reason that I didn't end up running off the 4 story building is thanks to a water container that stopped my progress. At this point something inside me told me to wake myself up before I continued running which I did. If I had made that right turn and continued running without waking up I would not be alive today to tell this story!

Any info on how to deal with this sleep problem that is an additional problem to bipolar disorder and severe migraines would be very helpfull.

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha

Posted by justyourlaugh on May 1, 2003, at 23:26:49

In reply to I'm scared to fall asleep!, posted by elisha on April 30, 2003, at 13:29:35

i was wondering if your fellings about "slipping " into a part of your life that you have little control over..is adding to the fear......fear of remembering past,,fututre,,horrid images.....
i am screaming everytime i "slip"under...
it hurts..it is so physical...
j

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!

Posted by elisha on May 2, 2003, at 8:50:21

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha, posted by justyourlaugh on May 1, 2003, at 23:26:49

> i was wondering if your fellings about "slipping " into a part of your life that you have little control over..is adding to the fear......fear of remembering past,,fututre,,horrid images.....
> i am screaming everytime i "slip"under...
> it hurts..it is so physical...
> j

to just your laugh

I'm pretty sure that this is not the case since 98 percent of my dreams are good ones.

thanks for the input


 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha

Posted by shar on May 4, 2003, at 1:43:29

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!, posted by elisha on May 2, 2003, at 8:50:21

Wow, that's pretty intense! You've probably done research on the sleep stuff already, and know a lot more than me. It seems hard to deal with because it's apparently a rare event, so wearing a monitor that would awaken you if you get up from bed seems like overkill. Unless, that is, most of your sleepwalking episodes are putting you in danger, in which case a monitor might be worthwhile.

As I said, I'm sure you know more than I do about it already. And with migraines, etc. it seems you have a lot on your plate.

Just curious if there's anything in particular you've been able to correlate with the sleepwalking (like certain meds, or it happens after a migraine or after seeing your great-uncle or something).

Good luck!
Shar

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!

Posted by elisha on May 4, 2003, at 5:43:30

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha, posted by shar on May 4, 2003, at 1:43:29

> Wow, that's pretty intense! You've probably done research on the sleep stuff already, and know a lot more than me. It seems hard to deal with because it's apparently a rare event, so wearing a monitor that would awaken you if you get up from bed seems like overkill. Unless, that is, most of your sleepwalking episodes are putting you in danger, in which case a monitor might be worthwhile.
>
> As I said, I'm sure you know more than I do about it already. And with migraines, etc. it seems you have a lot on your plate.
>
> Just curious if there's anything in particular you've been able to correlate with the sleepwalking (like certain meds, or it happens after a migraine or after seeing your great-uncle or something).
>
> Good luck!
> Shar

To Shar,
The sleep walking started when I was very young and at that time I was not on any medication. I can't connect the episodes to any other thing.
thanks for the input
Elisha

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!

Posted by theobacchus on May 7, 2003, at 2:01:20

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!, posted by elisha on May 4, 2003, at 5:43:30

A simple solution would be to find some kind of failsafe system that would either wake you up when you began to sleepwalk or prevent you from going anywhere in your sleep. The first thing that comes to mind would be securing a rope to your ankle or wrist when you slept. Hopefully the tug would wake you up or at least prevent you from going anywhere. Or attach it to something that if pulled on will create a loud noise of some sort. But this would only be a temporary solution until you see a psychologist or be prescribed a suitable sleeping medication.

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha

Posted by noa on May 7, 2003, at 16:25:38

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!, posted by elisha on May 4, 2003, at 5:43:30

It seems like it would be a good idea to get a full sleep evaluation at a sleep lab.

For more information, see the SleepNet:

http://www.sleepnet.com/rest.html#slpwlk

What they say about sleep walkers who exit the house:

"If the sleepwalker exits the house, or is having frequent episodes and injuries are occurring -- DO NOT delay, it is time to seek professional help from a sleep disorder center in your area. There have been some tragedies with sleepwalkers, don't let it happen to your loved one!"

They also say, "The sleepwalker's bedroom should be on the ground floor of the house. The possibility of the patient opening windows or doors should be eliminated."

And, there is more info on what can be done to help, etc.

Also, try asking for advice on their online forum for "other" sleep disorders (including sleepwalking):

http://www.sleepnet.com/rest10/rest10.html

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » theobacchus

Posted by elisha on May 7, 2003, at 16:26:35

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep!, posted by theobacchus on May 7, 2003, at 2:01:20

> A simple solution would be to find some kind of failsafe system that would either wake you up when you began to sleepwalk or prevent you from going anywhere in your sleep. The first thing that comes to mind would be securing a rope to your ankle or wrist when you slept. Hopefully the tug would wake you up or at least prevent you from going anywhere. Or attach it to something that if pulled on will create a loud noise of some sort. But this would only be a temporary solution until you see a psychologist or be prescribed a suitable sleeping medication.

Thanks for the idea but the sleep walking problem has stopped but the fear of the past has remained!

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha

Posted by noa on May 21, 2003, at 18:15:47

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » theobacchus, posted by elisha on May 7, 2003, at 16:26:35

Any progress on the sleep disorder?

 

Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » noa

Posted by elisha on May 22, 2003, at 13:41:07

In reply to Re: I'm scared to fall asleep! » elisha, posted by noa on May 21, 2003, at 18:15:47

> Any progress on the sleep disorder?

Hi Noa,
I have decided to change my proffesion so that I can work the same hours every day and create good sleeping habits. This together with the feeling that to large extent when I am asleep I am in the hands of God and I must trust him. Thats the goal for now but I am always listening to those around for new ideas.

Thanks for caring - caring is always the best medicine -
Elisha



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