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The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.
Could I Have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
by Michelle
(London, Ontario )
Hi, I'm a 21 year old college student and I've recently been researching REM sleep behavior disorder. After reading many people's stories I'm not convinced I have it. Let me share with you some of my experiences.
When I was young I would have night terrors all the time, I'd try to hold up my ceiling because I thought it was falling down or I wouldn't sleep in my bed or room for weeks because of a paralyzingly fear of spiders. I would have dreams about spiders multiple times a week and it eventually led to my parents getting the house exterminated because of my serious lack of sleep.
Moving on to public school years, I would find myself sleep walking a lot. I would wake up with food in my bed that I had prepared while I was sleeping or I would wake up on the ground or in the bathroom.
At around age 11 or 12 was when I started to have dreams in which I can only explain as hallucinations. It usually happened when I was up late (sometimes as early as 11 or 12) and I would fall asleep fine and normal and then for some reason I would wake up (my eyes open, seeing) and believe people were in my room. They were never strangers but always people I knew. I would have conversations with them and they would "talk" back to me. I would alternately think I was in my room or a different setting (dance, school, sports) and I would be so confused as to why they were in my room or why my bed was at school. It's hard to explain how honestly I believe they are there. My room would be pitch back but I would see things in light like its day time.
This could sometimes go on for hours if I was sleeping alone. The only way to stop it is to get out of my bed and walk around outside of my room and check to make sure no one was in my house. Ever since about 11 I've had those types of dreams, now becoming more prevalent, at least twice a week. Now, when I sleep in the same bed as someone and they try to stop me I can become violent. Trying to push them away or fight them. I've also always talked in my sleep and I sleep with my eyes open.
The reason I'm confused is that the dreams aren't scary and I always remember them unlike other dreams.
Sorry this is so long! I would love to hear back from someone on their opinion of my sleeping!! Thanks so much.
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Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
America's Most Dangerous Disorder: What Is Sleep Apnea Doing To Your Sleep?
Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
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Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
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