Scared i'm losing my mind

It's been 2 nights in a row that I haven't been able to sleep normally, last night was horrible, I only slept like 4 hours and all night long I kept having bizarre "dreams" and I kept having this kind of mind chatter, where random words, phrases, songs or even images kept popping up in my mind non stop for all the time I was asleep. It got so bad and uncomfortble that I jolted up in a panic and couldn't go back to sleep I was so scared bc as soon as I closed my eyes seconds later I would start getting those random sounds and images in my sleep and it really frightened me. Is this normal or anyone has this? what worries me is that it lasted the whole time I was sleeping, not just for a few minutes.

Username: mrselfdestruct1994mrselfdestru...

Date posted: 34w ago

Yep, this happens when your body and mind are stressed and you’re in a hypervigilant state. Basically your mind is getting trapped between this half awake and half asleep state because your brain feels it’s too dangerous to go into deep sleep because it’s on such high alert and it results in those weird hypnagogic thoughts and dream like altered consciousness

Username: Beebo !Beebo !

Date posted: 34w ago

If it’s before you fall asleep it is called hypnotic hallucination and is a part of the sleep cycle. A lot of people experience it. Popularly, people will feel like they are “falling.” Sometimes I get astronaut sounds or cool music.

Username: Dee CDee C

Date posted: 34w ago

Sorry you’re going through this. I can relate about going without sleep. I have enough brain chatter going on so I listen to The OCD Stories Podcast or repeat of The NOCD Wednesday Night Webinars on YouTube to be relaxing. In so doing, I’m choosing to disregard all the brain chatter my OCD gives me (what if I don’t sleep?, what if I die?, what if I go crazy from lack of sleep?, etc.). I choose this, not to seek reassurance, but rather to obtain additional tips & re-inforce what I’ve gained through ERP. To take the danger out of it, I’ll say something like ‘wake me when it’s over. I’m going to sleep!’. Hope this helps you too!!

Username: Pippa12Pippa12

Date posted: 34w ago

I've experienced this a few times and actually I had it the last few nights because I couldn't sleep due to a sickness bug. The dehydration etc probably hasn't helped but I know how scary it can be and of course lack of sleep (for me personally ) is a major trigger for my ocd and always makes me think its not OCD etc. The viscous circle I always get. Once your mind is relaxed and you've had some sleep, you'll feel more you again.

Username: adeliepenguinadeliepenguin

Date posted: 33w ago

I experience this too from time to time, and I totally understand how scary it can be because sometimes the phrases etc relate to my harm fears! From what I understand this hypnagogia (word for these weird sensations while falling asleep) is a very normal experience that is basically our subconscious mind chatter as we fall asleep. I'm feeling a lot better about it now :) And I'm sure you'll become less worried about it soon!

Username: emilyxo17

Date posted: 1y ago

Pls help!!

Everytime i try and go to sleep the most random scenarios pop up it’s like I’m aware of them but not like I’m half asleep half awake I’ve tried to clear my mind and stop them but I can’t stop them. What if I think of something bad and then it makes me poet anxious. It’s like i feel myself going to sleep but then I can see a scenario playing but im not in full control. Idk why this is happening but im terrified and exhausted. I just wanna sleep. I cant stop it from happening. It’s like im not in control but im only fully aware of what’s happening when i snap out of it and sometimes I even forget what was happening when I open my eyes. Im so confused what is this???? What’s happening????

Username: Alyssa1995

Date posted: 44w ago

Sleep anxiety

Has anyone experienced fear of not falling asleep? I have never had sleep issues before but after a bout of jet lag 3 months ago, my sleep has been terrible. This last week, I’ve only managed to sleep 3-5 hours a night because I’m just so SCARED of not sleeping. I’m unable to function because I’m obsessing about not sleeping and the terrifying effects it has on the mind and body. I’m afraid I’m going to end up losing my mind from not sleeping. Last night I was able to get 4 hours of deep sleep, but I was in bed for a total of 14 hours and just tossed and turned. Can anyone relate to this? I’m so scared I’ve been vomiting and nonstop crying 💔😭

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 37w ago

Haven’t slept in a week

Hi I haven’t slept in a week because I’m so afraid of my thoughts and not being able to control them or work through them by ruminating. I’ve slept a few hours here and there but I wake up with this really scary fear response/adrenaline rush because i feel like I know I was thinking something really disturbing in my sleep but I wasn’t conscious enough to remember it and the adrenaline is so intense that I feel like if I can’t remember what the dreams were I don’t know what I will do. Sometimes I run to the shower and turn on the water and just rock back and forth on the floor because I’m so afraid of my thoughts. I have such a hard time letting myself relax enough to fall asleep because I can feel myself losing control over my thoughts in my half asleep state and it feels like I’m tripping or something. Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get yourself to fall asleep? Any advice? Thank you

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Scared i'm losing my mind

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