Unnerved by 'Void' Feeling in Sleep

When one is asleep but not dreaming, there is absolutely no sensory input that can be detected, at least none for me. It's like not even existing. For me, when I think about it, that's kind of bothering. I think it stems from my old fear of death. Both the sleep and death anxieties have reduced somewhat. But the sleep thing still exists.

I've tried several things to deal with it:

1. Push myself to stay awake as long as possible until I fall asleep.
2. Relax, sit there and focus on something else or nothing.
3. Say "It's normal, natural and harmless."
4. (Unsuccessfully) attempt WILDs.
5. Adopt a "Bring it on!" attitude.

Et. al. Any advise?

I know exactly what you are talking about. Before I started to recall dreams, I was terrified of the way you somehow lose consciousness at night, then wake up in the morning. I would be afraid to fall asleep, wondering how I would lose consciouness and how it felt, and what if I were to actually experience this, etc. And, really, the best therapy for me was learning to remember dreams and facing the fears as well. I also have a great fear of death so I think you are right about the orgin of this fear.

Now, I know that like you say there are periods between dreams and deep sleep, even if you do recall dreams. However, if you recall dreams there is no reason to be afraid of these periods because they are impossible to remember, but you can remember the dreams. Basically you can be assured that there were times at night where you were (more or less) conscious, and you can remember them during the day. You didn't just lie there like a log all night; you did something in your mind.

Facing your fears can help. I like to daydream before I go to bed. During these daydreams I am conscious and know I am daydreaming. When you pass into the state where you think your daydream is real, you won't notice, nor care. In fact, unless you suddenly notice "wait, this isn't real" you'll forget the part consciousness was lost by morning. The daydream can relax you, and distract you from the fact you are falling asleep. It also alleviates that feeling that you just passed out with no memory.

Also, in that state there is sensory input that can be detected. Are you telling me that when you hear an extremely loud noise, or have somebody jump on you that you just keep sleeping? As far as I know most people would wake up quickly from that. If you were really dead, you couldn't be aroused by anything.

Both you and I obviously value our consciousness above most else, along with many others in the world and on Dream Views. However, you must remember, in a state of unconsciouness you can't consciously care.

Like you're lying in bed at night, and the next thing you know your mom is telling you to get out of bed or you'll be late for school

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Originally Posted by youssarian

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Doesn't matter, like thinking that you had no consciousness before you were born, or wondering where the universe ends.

I agree that this is from a fear of death, but when we fear death, I think we fear the "nothingness" too. Interesting.

Oh... youssarian. I think I know what you're talking about. It's that actual feeling you get, where you feel like you're shrinking backwards inside the void of your mind, yeah? Like you're disconnecting from your body or something?