The mysteries of the sleeping
mind are some of the hardest things to understand. Sleep in itself is only
becoming less mysterious in recent years. Questions like “Why do we sleep?” and
“Do we really need sleep?” are finally being answered. However, some sleep
phenomena remain unexplained. Moreover, in spite of being very scary for the
sufferer, there are skeptics.
The following five sleep
phenomena are understood, to an extent. As you’ll see, we do know the common
symptoms and even some common causes of them. Nonetheless, we can hardly
understand what causes the sleeping mind to behave in such ways.
Sleep Phenomenon: Hypnopompic/Hypnagogic Hallucinations
Hypnopompic and hypnagogic
hallucinations are, quite simply, hallucinations that occur while falling
asleep or waking from sleep. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur while falling
asleep and hypnopompic while waking. They are sometimes accompanied by sleep
paralysis. These hallucinations are, more often than not, no indication that
the sufferer has a mental condition.
Hypnagogic and hypnopompic
hallucinations can be auditory, visual, tactile or kinetic. A common sleep
hallucination is the sensation of falling causing you to jerk yourself awake
and other such mild sleep disturbances. Many people will experience this mild
form of hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucination in their lifetimes. However,
they can also be quite disturbing. Some people may see a person or creature.
These hallucinations are often described as very realistic.
Drug abuse has been linked to
hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. Certain medications, medical
conditions and sleep disorders have also been linked to hypnopompic and
hypnagogic hallucinations. However, none of these things must be present for a
person to experience these hallucinations. They may happen to anyone, at any
time, and can be chronic or isolated.
Sleep Phenomenon: Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is probably the
coolest of all sleep phenomena. Many people actually dedicate a great deal of
time attempting to achieve lucid dreams. Lucid dreams are characterized by the
awareness that you are dreaming. If you have ever been dreaming and suddenly
realized that you were dreaming, then you have experienced a lucid dream. This
may also be accompanied with the ability to control your surroundings within
the dream. Virtually anything is possible with this control during lucid
dreaming.
Sleep Phenomenon: Night Terrors
Night terrors are often
described as an awful experience. They are moments of terror that wake the
sufferer from sleep. They are not always remembered the following day, but
loved ones often become aware of the sufferer’s sleep terrors when they scream.
It is very common for a person having night terrors to scream while they are
waking in this state.
Symptoms of night terrors are
sweating, fast heart beat, sudden waking, confusion upon waking and screaming
or crying. Sufferers may see frightening images upon waking. The cause of night
terrors is unknown, but they are sometimes associated with some medical conditions,
stress or some medications. They are most common in children aged three to
five, but may occur at any age.
Night terrors typically last
between five and 20 minutes. They occur during stage four of sleep and not
during REM sleep. This is one of the things that differentiate night terrors
from nightmares. In fact, people suffering from night terrors usually do not
recall any sort of nightmare that may have triggered their symptoms, if they
can recall the incident at all.
Sleep Phenomenon: Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking, also known as
somnambulism, is exactly what it sounds like. Quite simply, it is walking while
sleeping. However, sleepwalking does have some other characteristics.
Sleepwalkers may walk around
calmly or they may run around and behave frantically. They nearly always have
their eyes open when the event occurs, but their eyes are unfocused. They can
speak, but their speech is often incoherent. They also may not answer if they
are spoken to while they are having an episode of sleepwalking.
Sleepwalking often occurs in
young children and teens, but it may occur at any age. It is sometimes
associated with certain medications, medical conditions and psychiatric
disorders. It typically occurs in sleep stages three and four.
Sleep Phenomenon: Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is another
frightening sleep phenomenon. It happens when you gain consciousness during
sleep, but you cannot move. It may be coupled with hallucinations, which can be
disturbing. Some people who have experienced sleep paralysis believe that they
have been abducted by aliens or have been possessed.
People of any age may experience
sleep paralysis at any time. Experiences can be recurrent or isolated. Sleep
paralysis may be associated with some medical conditions, medications or other
sleep disorders.
These are only five of the most
common sleep phenomena. There are many more that a person may experience. Not
all of them require medical attention or treatment. Nonetheless, if any of
these sleep disturbances, or any others, are distressing enough to cause
significant stress, if the sufferer is losing a great deal of sleep or if they
are acting out violently, medical attention may be necessary.
*This article is not meant for
the purpose of self-diagnosis. I am not a medical professional. I'm just
a lucid dreamer who is interested in weird stuff, so consult your doctor if you need help.
Sources
Sleepwalking Symptoms, retrieved
12/30/09, emedicinehealth.com/sleepwalking/page3_em.htm
Sleep Paralysis, retrieved
12/30/09, webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-paralysis
*Personal Knowledge
Prevalence & Comorbidity of
Hallucinations, retrieved 12/30/09, sleepeval.com/hallucinations.htm
What are Hypnopompic
Hallucinations?, retrieved 12/30/09,
wisegeek.com/what-are-hypnopompic-hallucinations.htm
