Hypnagogic hallucinations
Hypnagogic Hallucinations
Hypnagogic hallucinations (pronunciation: /ˌhɪpnəˈɡɒdʒɪk həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃən/) are vivid, often frightening, dream-like experiences that occur while one is falling asleep. They are a common symptom of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, but can also occur in healthy individuals.
Etymology
The term "hypnagogic" was coined by Alfred Maury in the 19th century and comes from the Greek words "hypnos" (sleep) and "agogos" (leading), meaning "leading to sleep". The term "hallucination" comes from the Latin "alucinari" meaning "to wander in the mind".
Description
Hypnagogic hallucinations can involve a wide range of sensory experiences. They can be visual, auditory, tactile, or even involve other senses. They are often vivid and can be very frightening, as the person experiencing them may believe they are real. They can include sensations of falling, floating, flying, or other bodily sensations. They can also involve complex and bizarre scenarios, such as being attacked or experiencing a natural disaster.
Related Terms
- Sleep Paralysis: A related phenomenon where a person is unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It can often accompany hypnagogic hallucinations.
- Hypnopompic Hallucinations: Hallucinations that occur while waking up, as opposed to falling asleep. They are similar to hypnagogic hallucinations, but occur during the transition from sleep to wakefulness.
- Narcolepsy: A chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations.
- Insomnia: A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can sometimes be associated with hypnagogic hallucinations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hypnagogic hallucinations
- Wikipedia's article - Hypnagogic hallucinations
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski