Going to sleep at night I have frequently woken up fearing death as if I had almost died. I wake up feeling as though I have come so close to it. This usually happens at the beginning of my sleep after I doze off. There are no figures, no shadows, no dreams....only waking in a terror. I do not know what this could be from. I do not go about my day fearing death. It started this year and have never had it before. Happens maybe once, twice a week. Anyone have any ideas?
2007-08-09 14:58:56 · 7 answers · asked by mf012e 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I get this from time to time just as I'm falling asleep, too. It's unsettling!
Two possibilities I would explore:
Anxiety - Any irrational feeling that elicits a rapid response related to feelings of doom warrants an anxiety problem investigation. Are you in a very stressful job? Has a family member recently been ill or difficult? Fighting with a significant other? All of these produce stress. Prolonged periods of stress can lead to an unhealthy, random anxiety. Millions of people battle with anxiety from time to time. Actively making changes in your daily routine to reduce stress WILL lessen your symptoms until the situation resolves itself.
Sleep Apnea - Since this is happening as you're falling asleep, the other thing I would explore is sleep apnea. Essentially what happens is your esophagus tightens as you slumber or doze and the amount of oxygen in your blood decreases. Your esophagus may even close off to air entirely. This causes your brain to release emergency hormones into the blood that "shock" you awake. Your esophagus will open immediately as you increase air flow in your alerted state. It's a good idea to get this checked out because prolonged sleep apnea is not good for your overall health. Your doctor and you can make a plan to combat sleep apnea for good.
Good Luck, God Bless.
2007-08-09 15:17:16 · answer #1 · answered by StGabriel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, my night terrors consist of choking, and that's not one of my many phobias! I wake up once or twice a week, depending what's been going on in life and cough and gasp. My hubby knows now just to calm me and reassure me. Now, the objects I'm supposedly choking on are not hunks of meat and such, but whole turkeys and thick chains! Wierd, eh? They seem to flare up more when my mom, who's mentally ill, calls everyday freaking out about something. I don't always go to sleep even thinking about her, but somewhere in my sleep state, my subconscious reacts....in bazarre fashion! I'll bet your subconscious does the same!
2007-08-09 23:01:34 · answer #2 · answered by zen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a medical axiom: when you hear hoofbeats on the bridge, look for horses, not zebras.
In your case I can think only of zebras. I seem to remember the term "uncal fits" which were associated by frightening thoughts. In the modern classification, uncinate seizures are classified under temporal lobe epilepsy, and I find no easy reference to frightening thoughts. It doesn't sound like psychogenic seizures, either.
Your personal physician can direct you to a specialist in sleep disorders, perhaps one with additional training in neuro-psychiatry.
2007-08-09 22:20:09 · answer #3 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are only very few reasons by which somebody can die in sleep:
1. massive heart attack
2. stroke
Unless you have diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, you are a smoker...you are probably fine. Even if you have these problems only an extremely small percentage die in sleep.
So the chances of dying in sleep are probably less then when dying in a car accident, and I am sure you don't even think/care about it.
So relax. things are under control. God bless
2007-08-09 22:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by Surely 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems strange, seeing as your not too bothered about death. Maybe talk to a pyscologist if it gets worse? I mean.. theres not really much you can do about it, and theres no explaination, unless your superstitious you could seek a pyschic or something if its worrying you.
2007-08-09 22:13:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could be having a panic attack or it could be what my doctor calls night terrors. My son got them for a while. Doc said they can be caused by change or stress
2007-08-09 22:35:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sub consous anxiety or nighmar
you dont remember drams or nightmares
because your brain dosnt think ot remember tehm
see a pyciatrist
2007-08-09 22:34:08 · answer #7 · answered by War_Freak202 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋