What is Somniphobia (Fear of Sleep): Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Somniphobia is an extreme fear of sleep that people often experience due to trauma. In this phobia, people anticipate some negative things happening after falling asleep. Thus, due to this feeling, they become afraid of sleeping. 

Somniphobia is a specific phobia that can develop due to the sight of a horrific animal, situation or place. However, this phobia is also curable with proper treatment and home remedies. Keep reading to know about it all!

People with Somniphobia can face the following fears and conditions:

• Fear of going to bed.
• Getting afraid of having nightmares.
• Fear of experiencing sleep paralysis.
• Becoming anxious that they might die in their sleep.

The immediate symptoms of Somniphobia are extreme exhaustion throughout the day due to lack of sleep. However, apart from such physical symptoms, there are psychological symptoms as well. The physical symptoms are:

• Dyspnea or shallow breathing.
• Hyperventilation.
• Chest pain.
• Cold flush.
• Tremors and shaking.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Dizziness.

Apart from these, the psychological symptoms that one might have are:

• Anticipating destruction.
• Detached feeling.
• Anxiety and panic attack.
• Sleep procrastination.
• Avoiding bedtime.

1. Genetics

One of the most compelling reasons to develop such a phobia, people with a history of specific phobia in their bloodline are likely to develop Somniphobia. If you have a parent or a sibling having this phobia, you are likely to develop symptoms of the same.

2. Environment

This is another significant reason behind growing this phobia. Environmental factors such as abusing or seeing any other person with a phobia can also trigger Somniphobia.

3. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a physical condition in which a person cannot breathe during sleep. It generally happens more with obese people as the relaxed soft tissues in their throat block the airways during sleep. So, they feel someone is choking them and thus try to avoid sleep any further.

4. Generalised Anxiety Disorder

It is one of the most common psychological problems that hinder regular sleep. Due to lifestyle disorders or past traumatic experiences, one may get anxiety issues. Hence due to this, they feel restless and fear to sleep.

5. Traumatic Nightmares

People with post-traumatic disorder may face fearful nightmares during sleeping. Hence, these nightmares increase their anxiety level and generally, people tend to avoid sleep to avoid these nightmares.

6. RISP or Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis

During sleep, RISP occurs when people cannot move their bodies, especially their arms and legs. Thus, they get the feeling of being stuck, which also grows an irresistible fear in their minds. So, they develop a fear of sleeping over time.

7. Fear of Dying

Fear of dying is also a reason for this phobia, as it restricts people from falling asleep. Again, this is because they think that they may die or something negative can happen while sleeping. So naturally, they try to stay awake as long as they can.

The potential risk factors of Somniphobia are as follows:

• People who have a fear of nighttime are more prone to Somniphobia.
• People who have a fear of darkness may experience Somniphobia.
• If anyone has a record of a sleeping disorder.
• Any traumatic experience can make one restless during the night.
• People who tend to walk during sleep become very concerned about their safety and try to avoid sleep.

Somniphobia is associated with other sleeping disorders, such as narcolepsy. Besides hypnophobia, sleep anxiety, clinophobia etc., are some conditions similar to Somniphobia.

The different complications associated with Somniphobia are as follows:

• Disruption in sleeping schedule.
• Irritability.
• Distraction from daily obligations.
• Negative impact on life and relationship.

Per the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition, your physician will ask you some questions and check your physical damage to diagnose the severity of Somniphobia. 

• A physician will ask how long you have been facing the issue of this sleeping disorder.
• Whether your daily work is getting affected.
• They will also ask how likely you tend to avoid sleeping.
• They will check if you are facing relationship issues.

Apart from these, the physician will also run a thorough checkup. It will analyse your mental health to find the actual reason for this fear.

Like any other phobia, Somniphobia has two treatment types: medicinal and behavioural therapies. Most of the time, Somniphobia occurs due to a traumatic experience, which is why therapies are the best option to treat this disorder. The treatment methods are in detail below:

1. Medicines

Medicines are available to calm the anxious sensation and other physical symptoms of restlessness. These medicines are:

• Beta Blockers: Physicians may prescribe beta-blockers such as Propranolol as these are effective in calming rapid heart rate and other symptoms of physical anxiety.

• Benzodiazepines: Your doctors may also prescribe sedatives such as Alprazolam for short-term usage to reduce the symptoms of restlessness.

• Oxytocin and Cortisol: These two types of oral medicines are also effective in managing any type of anxiousness due to fear of specific objects.

• D-cycloserine: These medicines are agonists, which can activate receptors and help reduce the fear response. These medicines are more effective with exposure therapy.

2. Therapies

Different therapies are available to treat Somniphobia to its root. These are as follows:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment that approaches to help patients manage their cognitive functions. It allows people to control their anxious thoughts, emotion and behaviour. 

In addition, it is proven that CBT can also help to reduce fear and panic. Thus, it will help patients change their attitude towards sleep and start reasoning regarding their fear of sleep.

• Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is another helpful approach to the treatment of Somniphobia. Here the therapist exposes the patients gradually to their fears. Exposure therapy for this phobia will make one comfortable sleeping by using relaxation techniques and gently exposing them to the fear. 

It is one of the most effective therapies for specific phobias and helps people learn how to manage the adverse anxious situation during fear.

• Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)

Imagery rehearsal therapy is for those who experience Somniphobia due to extremely fearful nightmares. In this technique, therapists are likely to tell people the reason behind the nightmares and find ways to explain and rehearse them. 

So here is how you become familiar with the effects of nightmares and learn techniques to respond to them.

Apart from these mentioned above, yoga and meditation is highly beneficial for this type of phobia as it can reduce inner anxiety and instigate peace of mind. Additionally, try to regularly practise mindfulness, and calming rituals before bedtime to reduce anxious thoughts.

If untreated, this phobia can last from 6 months and more. In addition, such specific phobias can appear lifelong if people do not take proper therapies to reduce their inner fear and anxiety.

In the initial stage, you can manage their tendencies to avoid sleep. However, if you notice that the fear of sleep is getting worse daily and you spend a substantial amount of time avoiding sleep, you should visit a doctor. Further, if you notice that your daily work is hindered, you should also opt for professional medical treatment.

The fear of sleep is easily manageable if one identifies it in the initial stage. In the cases of children, caregivers can help them by comforting and cuddling during sleep. Moreover, here, a night lamp can also be helpful. However, for adults, caregivers can help them by reducing the cause of anxiety, past trauma and other mental disorders.

This is all the information you wanted about Somniphobia, the fear of sleep. Go through the treatment options, symptoms and causes to find the reason for your anxiety and how to treat it. It is a unique fear that can disrupt your work life, relationships and other aspects. So, seek medical attention within time.

Here are a few tips you can follow for coping with Somniphobia:

• Go to bed at the same time each night to maintain consistency. 
• Consider physical activities and exercises. These can help get sleep at night because of the exertion. 
• Avoid taking naps any other time of the day, or at least make them much limited. 
• Reduce caffeine intake, as it can contribute to insomnia. 
• Ensure a peaceful environment when sleeping at night. The room should be dark and isolated to avoid noise. 
• Consider a calming ritual before sleeping, like meditation, reading or music therapy. 
• Avoid overconsumption of alcohol, as it can also contribute to sleep disturbance.