Head-Banging to Go to Sleep. Is It Normal??

Question

Ever since I was a baby, the constant way I found to put myself to sleep was to bang my head on a pillow. I'm 20 yrs old now and still do it to get myself to sleep(not every night though), but occasionally. Is it normal?

Ok people, I'm not "suicidal" or "mentally handicapped"....it's just helps me go to bed, it only lasts a few mins

It's more like small taps on the pillow. And I occasionally rock my right foot back and forth.

Answer 1

No... I don't think so. I get why the head banging would work though. It's you way of creating a rhythm. Babies are used to hearing their mother's heartbeat when in the womb. Maybe you tried to recreate that rhythm. I would suggest something simpler than shaking your brains about. Perhaps tapping your hand against the pillow, letting the soft taps reach your ears is better.

Answer 2

I do the same thing. I'm 21 and I've done it sense I could lift my head. I don't do it to fall asleep anymore unless I'm having trouble falling asleep. I usually do it in the morning before my alarm goes off. It's almost like an attempt to stay asleep until the alarm goes off. I shake my right foot back and forth as well!
I also have extreme irrational anxiety meaning I get completely immobilized with fear of things that will not happen. For example sometimes I'll get terrified of the earth falling. I know it's impossivle but when my anxiety kicks in I no longer think normaly. When this happens I bang my head to relax me and keep my mind off it.
when I first started doing it my mom was very concerened and brought me to the doctors. The doctor said and I quite "yup, just a head banger. Nothing to worry about. He may grow out of it, or he may not." He said the cause is the constant rhythm like your mothers heart beat or when your being cradled back and forth.
I seem too be doing ok!!

Answer 3

Children with autism are known to head bang (not only when they are trying to sleep though), but there are people who don't have autism who do it as well. As long as you aren't hurting yourself by doing it very hard you are fine. We all have our little things that make us different, don't worry about being normal.

Answer 4

20 seems kind of old, but its a habit. And you can break habits by concentrating on something else. Both my dad did it and my brother did it, but at a much younger age. I don't think its abnormal, meaning nothing is really wrong with you, just a habit you need to break.

Answer 5

Its a habit you have carried out this for see you later yet whilst it gets you to sleep who cares. I ought to placed on my abdomen and rub the suitable of my foot against the geared up sheet to pass to sleep. save head banging if it works for you.....

Answer 6

I wouldn't exactly say normal but more of a little odd. Try finding other ways to make yourself go to sleep like listening to serene music.

Answer 7

My son who is now 23 did it until he was about 4-5 So I don't know if it is normal or not ask your Dr.

Answer 8

that's probably something worth checking out with your doc. but i think if you've lived with it all your life you've probably already asked about it before.
you've made it 20 years without brain damage (i'm assuming) and it helps you sleep so don't panic.
since birth my son has writhed in order to sleep. he reminds me of a feeding alligator turning in the water. it's hilarious to watch but it works like a charm. i imagine your head banging is similar.

Answer 9

I'm not sure if its considered normal because its not common; however it isn't abnormal. My son has done that since he could lift his head and continues today and he now six. From your question, I can see it might be something he does throughout his life.

Answer 10

i dont think so but it sounds like a habbit like sucking thumbs u do it when ur young n just dont get out of it. does it hurt? if i cant get to sleep i twitch my toes u should count sheep or somthin