Question
Please help - it's just my son and I at home and almost every night, just before or as I'm falling asleep, I hear loud noises. Last night I was 100% sure someone was turning my front door handle loudly and trying to get in. Other nights, I hear loud knocking, cupboards slamming, people talking, etc. These noises wake me up (although I'm not sure if I'm sleeping) and cause such panic I can't go back to sleep. Is this normal? Does your mind play tricks on you just as you're falling asleep or should I get a good alarm system?
Answer
If it happens just before you fall asleep or awaken it could be hypnangogic hallucinations which simply is normal phenomenon. The brain and body is supposed to awaken and go to sleep together but somethimes there is a lag of a s nano second and dreams are vivid because you are asleep. If your wakefulness is being affected by it, it could be narcolepsy a sleep disorder, 3 hours before bedtime stay away from tea, coffee, alcolhol, chocolate, caramel colored soda like coke and pepsi, gingerale , and exercise all this make for restless sleep. 30 min before bedtieme take a hot bath to relax and l5 min. before drink a glass of warm milk. Milk when heated contains tryptophan a natural amino acid sleep inducer, if this persists it could also be panic attacks and you may need something to relax you. It also couldnt hurt to make sure you have an alarm system.feel free to email again karel
