What are Hypnagogic hallucinations, and do I suffer from them?

Question

Very nearly every night I wake up to see strange things in my room. Often I see people, some times staring at me, stop times looking away. Other time I will see odd objects, like once a large turtle on my dresser.
My reactions are always quite different, some times I find this funny for no reason, often I am indifferent, and rarely do I react with fear.
There is no audio with these visions and I suffer from no paralysis. I don’t suffer from any sleep deprivation.
Any insight would be appreciated

Answer 1

Well, technically, hypnogogic hallucinations occur at sleep onset. If you are finding that you have these hallucinations upon waking, it would be hypnopompic, being the state of awakening just before full consciousness. Hallucinations of this sort usually take on strange or malevolent forms, but I don't think what you have seen falls completely outside of possibility.
Important to note is the fact that these hallucinations are unimodal. You can see, but not hear, taste, smell them. A common misperception about hallucinations is that they can be experienced through all of the senses at once. The symptom of paralysis doesn't always accompany hypno-* hallucinations, it can also manifest as a disconnected or disassociated feeling, like after a good dose of NyQuil (or, more to the point, dextromethorphan).
From what information you've given it'd be impossible to fully diagnose your symptoms. If you had one or two episodes that failed to recur, I'd chalk it up to food poisoning or sleep deprivation, but if it happens with any regularity I'd definitely get some professional advice on the matter. Hallucinations occur in a number of instances, including narcolepsy and schizophrenia. This isn't to suggest that you have either of those disorders, as there are plenty of people who experience hallucinations in one sense or another that have no other symptoms. As with all things medical, though, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 2

Hypnagogic Hallucinations Definition

Answer 3

Doesn't sound like "true hypnagogic hallucinations", but it definitely is odd. Several factors could be involved. Possibly a slow "wake" reaction is bringing partial images to the real world. Are you eating crazy things before bed? On any medications? Drugs? Does it happen only in bed? How about if you fall asleep on a couch? Sleeping at other people's houses? Have you had this since childhood? Lots of things could cause something like this. A vivid imagination with lots of shadows. Not to scare you, but it could even be something serious, such as a brain tumor. If it only happens in bed though...I wouldn't count on that. Brain tumors do not let you have selective hallucinations. In any case, it would be worth discussing with a professional.

Also...it may not even be you. Could be the physical environment. Is it only the one room in your house? Maybe you have ghosts or spirits. Look into the history of your home. Is it always the same person (people) looking at you? Are they dressed oddly? You have your work cut out for you. Good luck.

Answer 4

Perhaps your not sleeping enough or not getting good sleep, and thus hallucinating cause of sleep deprivation. If you take medication, maybe it is a side effect. Some medications can cause you to hallucinate. There are many things it could be. You should talk to your doctor or see a psychiatrist and let them run some tests. That is really the only way you can make sure you know what it is.

Answer 5

Perhaps you're seeing spirits ~ especially if there is no fear involved. Talk to them and see if you can communicate. Ask them what they want.

I prefer the spirit explanation but perhaps...

Definition of Hypnagogic Hallucination

Hypnagogic hallucination: A vivid dreamlike hallucination that occurs as one is falling asleep. The opposite of an hypnopompic hallucination which is a vivid dreamlike hallucination that occurs as one is waking up.

Answer 6

It sounds very much like it. I've had it happen to me (thankfully years ago) and told my shrink about it during a med check appointment. He told me it was generally caused by stress and/or anxiety. He offered me a med to take care of it, but it was only a few times and had already passed by then, so there IS a med treatment for it if thats what you think may be right for you.

Answer 7

no you don't suffer from hypagogic hallucinations, they only happen once or twice in your life and you would know when that happens, it's absolutely insane...you're paralized and you hear the loudest music you've ever heard, yet it doesn't hurt your head and you feel really good. What you're describing may be some form of mental disorder, it certaintly isn't normal.