Hypnotic Hallucinations: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Falling During Sleep

2023-09-04 10:40:28

You may be one of the people who have suffered from sudden, jerky bodily movements that wake you up from sleep, after you had barely fallen into a deep sleep.
Some people feel as if they are falling during sleep, and this happens for a few seconds. Doctors consider this condition to occur as a result of hallucinations, but fortunately it can be treated, although you may need to consult a doctor.
According to the “Live Strong” website, the most common cause of falling during sleep is “hypnotic hallucinations”, as its symptoms include the following: –
– The feeling of falling.
The feeling of flying.
Hearing voices that do not exist.
It only lasts a second or two.
Causes of hypnotic hallucinations
They appear to occur when the brain is in an altered state of consciousness such as transitioning from wakefulness to sleep, according to a July 2021 paper in Comprehensive Psychiatry. Anyone can experience sleep hallucinations, but certain factors seem to make it more likely, including: That anxiety or mood disorders, insomnia, narcolepsy or drug or alcohol abuse, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Methods of dealing with hypnotic hallucinations
Sleep pathologists recommend methods for hallucinations, as follows:
Avoid screens before bed.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed.
Doing activities such as meditation, yoga, journaling, or anything that helps you feel calm.
Sleeping 7 to 9 hours a day.
When does hypnotic hallucination warrant going to the doctor?
If hallucinations occur frequently.
If hallucinations interrupt good sleep.
If the hallucinations make you feel tired during the day.
Recurrent hallucinations during sleep are a symptom of an underlying sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy.