Somniphobia

Somniphobia is defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of sleep", and this condition causes thousands of people major distress every year. In fact, it is more common than most people perceive it to be. Most somniphobia treatments and therapies can take months or even years to work, and occasionally require the sufferer to be repeatedly exposed to their fear

Causes

While adults realise that this fear is totally irrational, this does not help them to get any better. There are many reasons why people may suffer from somniphobia, as with any fear: they may have had repeated bad experiences with nightmares/night terrors as a child, and this may still be affecting them in their subconscious mind. They may simply be afraid that they will not wake up again, although this is not usually presented in their conscious thoughts.

Symptoms

Known by many names - somniphobia and fear of sleep being the most common - the problem often significantly impacts quality of life. It can cause panic attacks, and symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, irregular heartbeat and a sense of impending doom/dread. They cannot control their fear no matter how hard they try.