Question
Hi. For 6 years now I have seen faces, soon after I shut my eyes, but before falling asleep. The faces are not familiar, appear very suddenly and last just half a second. I have had insomnia for 9 years and am seeing no improvement to that, is it related?
Sometimes I also hear people having a conversation which sounds like it's going on inside my head. More rarely I hear whispering into my ear.
Could you tell me how to stop all this happening as I don't like it at all?
Big thanks!
Liz
Answer
Many times normal people fall asleep too fast and begin seeing vivid things or hearng things,this is because the brain has started dreaing before the body can relax,Like dreaming with your eyes open.Go to the website sleepnet.com click on sleep disorders and then narcolepsy,read the symptoms of hypnangogic hallucinations an sleep paralysis,if this happens everytime I would ask my physician and get a sleep evaluation,but just a few times here and there it is due to not falling asleep properly.and dreaming too rapidly,which can happen from time to time.You can also click on that ebsite insomnia.If you cant sleep at night.Keep away from chocolate,soda pepsi and coke,exercise ,and caffeine at least 3 hours before bedtime.If you are twisting and turning do not stay in the bed,get up and do something boring like reading a book,then if you find yoursef nodding out go into the bed.the bed should only be assiciated with sleeping.also the old cliche warm milk is true.a glass of warm milk before bed contains trytpophan an amino acid sleep inducer.If after all this you still have trouble ask your physician,also if your on any prscription meds this could be a side effect from it so ask your md as the dosage may need to be adjusted.Also go to sleep and wake up the same times each day even if you did not sleep well the night before to put your body back into sync.Hope this helps,feel free to email again,karel
