Most of the people around us enjoy sleeping; for some, bedtime is their favorite time of the day. However, there are those who fear sleeping. There are those who are afraid of falling asleep. It is called somniphobia, or the fear of falling asleep. People with somniphobia understand how drastically it affects their lives, which is more common than you think. The good news about somniphobia is that you don’t have to worry too much; there are ways to manage it and sleep well at night if you or someone you know experiences it.
Somniphobia: what is it?
Those suffering from somniphobia may obsess or stress throughout the day about how they will not fall asleep or what will happen to them while they sleep. A fear of falling asleep can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or avoiding sleep altogether. These fears can lead to nightmares, loss of control, or even death.
People with specific phobias understand that the anxiety they experience is exaggerated in comparison to the real harm caused by the fear.
Somniphobia: What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of somniphobia include severe distress when thinking about or trying to sleep.Try to avoid going to bed as much as possible.
Feel agitated or moody.
Leave the lights or television on when you are trying to sleep.
During the day, sleep-related anxiety makes it difficult to concentrate.
A panic attack is a sudden and unexpected rise in anxiety that generates physical symptoms. You may experience:
Dyspnea or breathing problems.
An ache or tightness in the chest.
Sweat or chills.
Insufficiency of oxygen.
Palpitations or an increase in heart rate.
Vomiting or nausea.
Tremors or uncontrollable trembling.
Somniphobia causes
There are several reasons why somniphobia develops, including:
The fear of sleep can be triggered by previous traumatic experiences. If, for example, someone is experiencing nightmares, sleep paralysis, or sleepwalking on a daily basis, they begin to feel stressed and afraid of going to sleep, because they fear that these things will happen again if they go to sleep.
As a result of heightened anxiety, individuals suffering from anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop somniphobia.
It has been found that some people fear losing control of their bodies or surroundings while sleeping, which can lead to somniphobia.
There are cases of somniphobia associated with depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
What Is the Treatment for Somniphobia?
Here are some tips for treating somniphobia and getting better sleep:
When you have somniphobia, you may think of enjoying a good night’s sleep and gradually progressing to taking short naps. This is called exposure therapy.
In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you talk to a therapist about your fears. CBT helps you identify sleep-related problems and overcome them. In order to alleviate anxiety symptoms, your therapist teaches you how to fight upsetting thoughts.
If your somniphobia is caused by trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be particularly helpful. You may be able to handle trauma without feeling overwhelmed by memories if you use EMDR to recall painful events while being triggered by rhythmic movement.
What can be done to reduce the risk of somnophobia?
You can improve your chances of sleeping better through healthy lifestyle choices. Your healthcare professional may refer to these routines as excellent sleep hygiene. Do all of these things to reduce the risk of somniphobia:
One hour before bedtime, avoid using tablets, smartphones, or televisions.
Limit processed foods and consume a healthy diet.
Regular exercise is important.
Sleep might be disrupted by caffeine and alcohol consumption.
Make sure you sleep in a cool, dark environment.
In conclusion:-
It takes time and patience to overcome somniphobia. Be kind to yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. You can overcome your fear of sleep with the right support and strategies.
Make your room feel good by decorating it with things that make you feel good. You can invest in good sleep accessories like a mattress and a good quality pillow. Memory foam pillows are effective at improving sleep quality and reducing snoring.
