Are these dreams or hallucinations ?

Hi guys, I think this was bugging me before.. When I close my eyes, fast images and outside thoughts hit me like I’m just about to go into a dream. But the awake part of me is still too sharp and identifies it as “false” or “that’s not true, it’s the beginning of a dream.” Why would dreams be coming in so fast like that? I’m really beginning to think it’s more like hypnagogic hallucinations, since I have been known to hear noises, voices, and even slams while drifting off. These are like dreams that rush in and try to convince me to go along with them. But the awake part of me opens my eyes because it knows it isn’t true. I’m not overtired when it happens. It’s more like a certain stubbornness in me that refuses to just drift off with the dream. If it is a dream, that is. It not only causes anxiety, but annoyance. Gets the heart pumping.. pure frustration Took 3 hours to fall asleep last night, and about 20 of these false/fake sleeps that couldn’t follow through to dreamland I Hate It

User234555444

Date posted: 40w ago

This is when you’re trying to sleep right? This is definitely normal when you transition from being awake into REM(Rapid eye movement) sleep.

SomaticSun🌤️

Date posted: 40w ago

@Nonchalons Yep, only when starting to fall asleep. The “super-fast” dreams come in and I don’t buy into them. I just wake up. It almost reminds me of when you slowly start drifting off to sleep and maybe dreaming a little.. but this goes from being awake and thinking my own thoughts with eyes closed, to a dream suddenly forming and it’s just too fake up fall for it or continue on with it. It is so aggravating

SomaticSun🌤️

Date posted: 40w ago

@SomaticSun🌤️ *too fake to fall for it (My phone likes to form any sentence it wants.)

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 5d ago

I hear how distressing and exhausting it is to struggle with falling asleep like this, especially when it leads to anxiety and frustration. What you're describing sounds like it could be related to hypnagogic experiences, which happen as we drift into sleep and can sometimes feel quite vivid or jarring, particularly when stressed. If you’re struggling and need more assistance, remember that help is available. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at NOCD to find out how we can support you. Also here are some helpful resources: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/nightmare-disorder-why-do-i-keep-having-bad-dreams/ https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/common-fears/why-am-i-constantly-having-dreams-about-dying-a-therapists-advice https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/intrusive-thoughts-at-night/

Bruce M

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 5d ago

This certainly sounds like anxiety is playing a part but I am not clear if it is definitely OCD. Please contact NOCD to get a better understanding. They offer a free 15 minute call.

#Lexiriri

Date posted: 5d ago

I go through pretty much the exact same thing when sleeping as soon as I go to sleep dreams pretty much start. I always assumed it was normal because I have chronic nightmares I always thought they were just nightmares in a really light stage of sleep, I’ve never really questioned it especially since part of me knows it’s easy to wake up if I need. Unfortunately I haven’t found anything to stop them either though I think they are just part of the sleep cycle

QueenUnknown

Date posted: 22w ago

Can Napping Be a Compulsion?

At times, my intrusive thoughts get so intense that all I can do is lay frozen in my bed and hope I fall asleep, and usually I do even if I'm not tired. My brain just wears me out and I wanna escape through sleep. (Sadly it doesn't work all the time)

issphra 🫶🏻

Date posted: 13w ago

I don’t know what this is. Help please?

Two things are happening: I get thoughts that just keep looping. They almost feel like song stuck in my head. Also, I’ll imagine something and I feel my stomach drop. Then as the seconds go by I keep getting fragments of the this thought but with different details. For example, it’s kinda like how a “vision” is portrayed. I’ll get a glimpse of the thought and then it’ll rapidly expand into something worse every few seconds. I don’t know if I’m causing this or if it’s just an automatic thing like any other intrusive thought. It feels unavoidable, idk if this is a compulsion or if it’s just another manifestation of an intrusive thought. Apart from that remembering an intrusive thought triggers the full thought again and then it just keeps looping or expanding. I don’t know how to stop any of this. Help?

Hexxi

Date posted: 5w ago

Intrusive thoughts 24/7

Any one else deal with this? Like from the moment they wake up to the second they fall asleep, the intrusive thoughts are there?

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Are these dreams or hallucinations ?

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