Intense Episode Last Night Led To Internet Diagnosis Today: Night Terror!

by Lee

Last night around midnight about 1 1/2 hours after going to sleep I felt like the building was collapsing around me everything was tilting and I jumped out of bed screaming and running to escape. Catching my breath in the hallway I woke up and realized it wasn't happening. My heart was racing once it slowed down I went back to bed and fell back to sleep immediately. Classic textbook night terror except I wasn't supposed to be able to remember the dream or event, but I did.

The next morning I first googled nightmares and sleep disorders and I think I had a night terror. I'm 47 years old and this isn't the first time I've run to save my life during my sleep. I used to think it was just sleepwalking. I often "dreamt" that the ceiling was falling down and very often jump out of bed and leave the bedroom but this was the first time that I screamed so loudly I was afraid the neighbors would call the police.

I think the night terrors which I have had my whole life and didn't have a name for are intensifying both in frequency and level of fear. Earlier night terrors I was scared but last night I was terrified. So I'm wondering if I should maybe see a professional psychologist? My stress level and general life situation hasn't changed to explain the new level of intensity. I don't drink alcohol or smoke or eat late and I exercise regularly.

I don't want to disturb my neighbors or wake up to the police, so what should I do?

Thanks,
Lee

---

Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.