What causes the panicky sensation of falling--

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 11 years ago

   What causes the panicky sensation of falling--
   
   whether off a cliff, or over backwards in a chair, etc.--when one is just drifting off to sleep, and not yet truly dreaming?  It always brings you wide awake again.
   I've heard it said that it means your heart skipped a beat, but I doubt that...

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2. 60

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years ago

   I don't know the answer to your question, but I do not believe that it is a result of your heart skipping a beat. I used to work as a certified critical care nurse and have extensive knowledge and experience in cardiac care. I have never heard anyone describe that feeling as you have and the cause be skipped heart beats, nor have I read that in any professional literature. Could be - I just have never heard of it described that way. I have also had my own heart "skip a beat" and have not felt that particular sensation.

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      Anjiliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have only experienced this while fast asleep. It was quite frightening and often jolts me awake. A very unpleasant feeling

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hope you figure out what the cause is - perhaps you should see a physician about it. I'm sorry I don't have more information to share with you.

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   yssubramanyamposted 11 years ago

   certain feelings can not be expressed literally. the feeling of free fall  too gives same /similar feeling. excessive depression or over anxiety are likely to illusion your mind in waking state or sleeping state. i experienced similar topics in yahoo answers. i widely came across as a 5th level contributor. thanks for giving me an opportunity with a lovely hub.

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   edhanposted 11 years ago

   Being fear of height tends to bring in my dreams of falling and it feels like the heart pounding out of my body.
   
   It is like the feeling I had when sitting in the roller-coaster or the viking. My heart suddenly dropped out as it sinks in.

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   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   When you are dreaming and you dream of a fall, or a slip, your body givesa you a shot of adrenaline.  This is what causes the panicked feeling, sometimes shortness of breath etc.  Stay calm and the adrenaline will dissipate.

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   Debra Dillonposted 11 years ago

   I have a hub about this if you would like t check it out

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      Debra Dillonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Its a interesting hub about many other dreams too

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   Dee42posted 11 years ago

   It's called a Hyptnic jerk or something. It's like when your muscles relax, but your brain is telling your body ' hey, what's going on here? Are we falling? Hang on, grab on, quick!!'.   Coffee and and too much exercise sometimes brings it on.   
   
   I'm glad I'm not a teacher cause that sounded a little crazy. Ha.
   
   But the heart thing, don't know unless you tend to have panic attacks, that would really Rev up the o' ticker.

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   eugbugposted 11 years ago

   It's called a hypnic jerk or night start and is a type of myclonic jerk experienced when drifting off to sleep as a result of sudden contraction and relaxation of muscles. The sensation is that of being startled or falling and can be caused by anxiety, excess caffeine consumption or strenuous activity before sleep.
   It is thought that the brain misinterprets the relaxation of muscles during onset of sleep and thinks that the body is falling and responds by suddenly contracting them.

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