Waking up in the middle of night for real thinking I’m going to die

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I’m a teenagers and for the past couple of years about every few months I will wake up in the middle of a nap thinking that I’m am about to die. I won’t be screaming, flailing or shaking. I know I’m awake and I will get up, begin to cry and start freaking out. Before I have hid inside a closet for 30 minutes hearing gun shots in my head, crying thinking I’m going to die. Another time I have had visions on the world about to end and me dying. 

Has anyone had these kind of experiences or have any idea of what these are, thank you

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Waking suddenly thinking you are about to be killed in some horrific way is not uncommon.  It happens to me sometimes in my retirement years.  I don't know why it happens.  I find I have to get up, doing something quite different to clear my mind, before going back to bed

  • Posted

     The first question I would ask is, Have you had any significant trauma in your life? Sometimes when we have trauma the only way to get it out is through dreams. If you’ve had trauma you should immediately seek some sort of therapy!!  Going to therapy doesn’t make you lesser of a person, in my opinion it makes you responsible for your own happiness. Always remember everybody’s got something that they’ve gone through in their lives that need to be processed.  If you haven’t had trauma like that the best thing to do is talk about it still. A lot of people are good listeners and don’t charge a dime for their input! Get  it out.  PS;  i’m also a firm believer in whatever we subject ourselves to is storedin the back of our minds. The dream you’ve had could have been something as simple as watching a a TV show or movie with terrible violence in it that triggered that dream. Start adding some happy things in your daily activities  so your brain is happy.  I hope this was helpful. Ant L
  • Posted

    When you wake up, are you able to move your body? If not and you find that experiencing these feelings leaves you completely frozen, this may be sleep paralysis, and the gun shots and visions of the world ending may be hallucinations associated with sleep paralysis.

    If accompanied by hyperventilation, chest pains, sweating, heart palpitations, extreme fear and anxiety, etc, this may also be a panic attack.

    Do you have any comfort items that can help you out? A weighted blanket, favourite stuffed animal, a sleep aid, etc... if so you can try hold those comfort items close to you when experiencing these feelings. Just close your eyes and take deep breaths and remind yourself they're not real and you're safe and okay. When the feelings pass take some time to recover and rest.

    Good luck.

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