The curious exploding head syndrome, a type of parasomnia

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There are people who, just before falling asleep or when they are about to wake up, feel the sudden sensation that something has exploded in their minds. Exploding head syndrome is a more common type of parasomnia than most think.

There are people who experience a sudden burst when entering or exiting deep sleep. And that unexpected sound does not come from the room or the house where they sleep. Exploding head syndrome or episodic head shock is a sleep disorder which involves the perception of a strong internal sound while in a dream state.

The image alone undoubtedly evokes a David Lynch film. It’s something bizarre and even terrifying. It’s more, Those who suffer from it describe these sounds as extremely powerful and overwhelming.. However, while it is true that this phenomenon is something curious in the world of parasomnias, it is a more recurrent alteration than we think.

There are studies that tell us that About 40% of people have experienced this rare sleep disorder at some point in their lives.. 5% of that same percentage report suffering from it between one and two times a week. For what is this? What would be the origin? Can it be treated in any way? We analyze it.

Exploding head syndrome does not pose any health risk. Nor is it due to any neurological disease; However, it usually causes great anxiety and fear to those who suffer from it.

Exploding head syndrome: characteristics, causes and treatment

One of the latest studies on exploding head syndrome was conducted at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. It was defined as a poorly recognized type of parasomnia that occurs with a loud and sudden noise. when one has just fallen asleep or is about to wake up. That sound is similar to an auditory hallucination.

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It concluded with the fact that It is a benign condition and is effectively treated with amitriptyline (a type of antidepressant).. Now, among all the scientific literature, it is worth highlighting another work done internationally in collaboration with several prestigious universities. It was the magazine BBC Science Focus who proposed this research to understand this phenomenon in depth.

How does it manifest?

An episode of exploding head syndrome lasts less than a second. The person experiences a sound similar to an intense roar, an internal and mental explosion. That is to say, at no time is there any doubt that it is a psychological phenomenon and that this explosion does not come from something external or environmental.

This experience does not cause any type of pain. Sometimes, you may experience flashes luminous and even body tingling sensation.The feeling that “your head is exploding” is accompanied by a state of anxiety and nervousness. In fact, it is common to feel tachycardia and a feeling of suffocation. This sleep disorder appears more frequently when the person makes an effort to fall asleep. The moment he makes it, he wakes up to the sound of an explosion. It is very similar to when we wake up because we dream that we are falling.Exploding head syndrome It is more common in women.

This type of phenomenon is usually experienced as something dramatic and terrifying. Although it is a harmless parasomnia without any neurological origin, those who suffer from it can suffer serious problems falling asleep due to the fear of experiencing this syndrome again.

What is the cause of exploding head syndrome?

This syndrome was described for the first time in 1870 and at the moment there are no conclusive data on the origin and cause that determines it. Now, although the etiology is currently unknown, There are two factors that correlate significantly: stress and fatigue.

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Typically, patients who experience exploding head syndrome report having previously felt a sense of fear and intense anxiety during sleep. Therefore, we could consider the possibility that a mental state of permanent anguish and stress maintained over time would be behind this phenomenon.

Another fact that could be added to this variable is an organic alteration: a sudden movement in some part of the middle ear or the Eustachian tube. Some relationship has also been seen with migraine. More studies would be necessary to reliably identify those variables that would be behind this experience (harmless, but disturbing) that a small part of the population suffers.

It is important to emphasize that exploding head syndrome is a real phenomenon and not caused by psychopathological or neurological alterations. We must give full truth to those who suffer from it.

How is it treated?

As we have pointed out, it has been shown that treatment with antidepressants completely reduces the appearance of this type of parasomnias. However, before resorting to psychotropic drugs, it is important to note that they also Clear improvements have been seen by providing people with stress management and relaxation techniques..

The complex thing about exploding head syndrome is that it increases poor night’s rest. This lack of restful sleep increases stress, and with it, the obvious risk of suffering this terrifying experience more frequently. The key in all cases would be to introduce skills to manage stress and improve sleep hygiene.

To conclude, only one undeniable fact is worth highlighting. The world of parasomnias is as extensive as it is complex. If you have any alteration or unusual experience during your night’s rest, do not hesitate to consult with specialists.

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