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Suggest Treatment For Hypnophobia
Question: I am 31 years old and feel afraid in sleeping alone. I am currently staying alone. Earlier I had roommates now they left. I am unable to sleep and close eyes. Though if some one sleeping in my room then I love to close all lights and sleep well without hesitation but alone I have to blow all the lights and still as soon I close my eyes I feel afraid and d open my eyes. I am having this problem since childhood . I tried all the possible ways but this fear not going out and I am loosing my health..please suggest. I am staying out from home for last 15 years but always could able to manage some one with me but now I am alone and not married yet. I don't know what to do....I feel fear in night with even a small knocking sound and create lots of panic thoughts in my mind including fear of some one following me or some one will come and catch me..need help
Brief Answer:
You appear to have Hypnophpbia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 31 year old male
• History of Phobia of sleeping alone, fear and panic.
Hypnophobia, also termed somniphobia, is the irrational and excessive fear of sleep. Hypnophobia is a relatively common form of anxiety disorder.
Other symptoms of anxiety which may or may not be present in your case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm, heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance, palpitation and dry mouth.
Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety.
There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment.
In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety/phobia benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician.
Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) from nearby psychologist also takes weeks to show its effect. The ultimate goal of cognitive behavior therapy is to modify distorted thoughts or misconceptions associated with whatever is being feared; the theory is that modifying these thoughts will decrease anxiety and avoidance of certain situations. If a patient is experiencing hypnophobia due to the lack of security while they are sleeping like in your case, it is recommended that they sleep next to, or near, someone in order to have confidence that nothing will happen to them while they are sleeping.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
You appear to have Hypnophpbia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 31 year old male
• History of Phobia of sleeping alone, fear and panic.
Hypnophobia, also termed somniphobia, is the irrational and excessive fear of sleep. Hypnophobia is a relatively common form of anxiety disorder.
Other symptoms of anxiety which may or may not be present in your case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm, heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance, palpitation and dry mouth.
Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety.
There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment.
In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety/phobia benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician.
Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) from nearby psychologist also takes weeks to show its effect. The ultimate goal of cognitive behavior therapy is to modify distorted thoughts or misconceptions associated with whatever is being feared; the theory is that modifying these thoughts will decrease anxiety and avoidance of certain situations. If a patient is experiencing hypnophobia due to the lack of security while they are sleeping like in your case, it is recommended that they sleep next to, or near, someone in order to have confidence that nothing will happen to them while they are sleeping.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So which medicine I should start now.
Brief Answer:
All these medicines are prescription medicines
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up,
As mentioned in primary reply, All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician.
For that you need to meet nearby psychiatrist. If you are in XXXXXXX NCR, you can meet me personally in XXXXXXX
Take care
All these medicines are prescription medicines
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up,
As mentioned in primary reply, All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician.
For that you need to meet nearby psychiatrist. If you are in XXXXXXX NCR, you can meet me personally in XXXXXXX
Take care
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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