4 ms·

This is something I think about a lot. I sleepwalk and sometimes have night terrors (where I hallucinate an intruder or spiders on the walls/ceiling). Lately I

This is something I think about a lot. I sleepwalk and sometimes have night terrors (where I hallucinate an intruder or spiders on the walls/ceiling). Lately I've been having them almost every day, despite practicing good bedtime habits. Am I going to have early onset dementia? I wake up almost every morning with a headache from sleep deprivation

johnchristopher 3y ago
Generic comment: have you checked for sleep apnea ?
kylebenzle 3y ago
Good sleep seems to be a component of long life (1). Intense daily exercise seems to be the best "treatment" we have for sleep issues. Importantly, there are NO medications known to help with "sleep" all those pills they sell as "sleep-aids" are technically called sedatives, or "hypnotics" medically and don't give the same benefits of sleep. 1. https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316/ref=asc_df_1501144316/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134205520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2670095342716494645&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014961&hvtargid=pla-385931137145&psc=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=50753c4e-025d-4530-bc5b-6f0d98a817e9 https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501...
marknutter 3y ago
> where I hallucinate an intruder or spiders on the walls/ceiling This sounds more like sleep paralysis than it does night terrors.
jimmaswell 3y ago
Have you checked your carbon monoxide detectors?
captainclam 3y ago
Wow, are you me? I also experience this specifically. The hallucinations tend to be "spiders" or intruders (spiders in quotes because they're more shadowy and ephemeral than your standard tarantula) and incidentally, it's been "ramping up" for me lately, to the extent that it's a pretty dependable, nightly occurrence. I too think about it a lot and worry about the early-onset dementia angle. Do you have any conditions in the broad spectrum of "anxiety" disorders? I've had a pretty rocky relationship with my sympathetic nervous system; variably severe anxiety, some panic attacks, occasional bouts of depersonalization/derealization. It seems pretty likely that these symptoms spring from the same root cause as the "night terrors." Fortunately I'm not personally aware of a link between these issues and dementia, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone replies with a link to some study that ruins my day.

johnchristopher 3y ago

Generic comment: have you checked for sleep apnea ?

kylebenzle 3y ago

Good sleep seems to be a component of long life (1). Intense daily exercise seems to be the best "treatment" we have for sleep issues. Importantly, there are NO medications known to help with "sleep" all those pills they sell as "sleep-aids" are technically called sedatives, or "hypnotics" medically and don't give the same benefits of sleep. 1. https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316/ref=asc_df_1501144316/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134205520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2670095342716494645&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014961&hvtargid=pla-385931137145&psc=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=50753c4e-025d-4530-bc5b-6f0d98a817e9 https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501...

marknutter 3y ago

> where I hallucinate an intruder or spiders on the walls/ceiling This sounds more like sleep paralysis than it does night terrors.

jimmaswell 3y ago

Have you checked your carbon monoxide detectors?

captainclam 3y ago

Wow, are you me? I also experience this specifically. The hallucinations tend to be "spiders" or intruders (spiders in quotes because they're more shadowy and ephemeral than your standard tarantula) and incidentally, it's been "ramping up" for me lately, to the extent that it's a pretty dependable, nightly occurrence. I too think about it a lot and worry about the early-onset dementia angle. Do you have any conditions in the broad spectrum of "anxiety" disorders? I've had a pretty rocky relationship with my sympathetic nervous system; variably severe anxiety, some panic attacks, occasional bouts of depersonalization/derealization. It seems pretty likely that these symptoms spring from the same root cause as the "night terrors." Fortunately I'm not personally aware of a link between these issues and dementia, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone replies with a link to some study that ruins my day.