Explosive Head Syndrome: Have You Ever Suffered From It?

Explosive head syndrome is a more common disorder than many may think, and luckily it can be treated and improved with medication and relaxation techniques.

Explosive head syndrome is a type of parasomnia. It is a sudden awakening where the person experiences a severe headache accompanied by a loud noise, such as an electric shock.

Probably people who have never suffered from this situation consider it something strange and unusual. However, it must be said that it is a frequent phenomenon and that, moreover, it is accompanied by a feeling of panic that is very difficult to forget.

It is not pleasant at all. However, it can be said that it is not a serious condition or associated with a neurological disorder.

In fact, explosive head syndrome has a lot to do with anxiety and stress.

Today in this article we want to dig deeper into this condition which interferes with the good rest of thousands of people every night.

Explosive head syndrome: what is it?

Some say it’s like a bomb exploding. For others, it is like a sharp blow or an electric shock similar to falling lightning.

It is the sound that, almost without her knowing how, appears in the mind of this person who has just entered the first cycle of sleep.

Imagine what such a thing can represent: you are asleep and suddenly you hear a rumbling sound that causes a violent awakening.

Also, and as if that were not enough, this sound comes with an intense headache and the sensation of seeing lights around you.

The first thing these patients think is that they are dreaming or have simply lost their minds. However, it is neither.

A strange but well-known sleep disorder

It was in 1876 that this disorder was first described. Dr. Silas Weir talks about it after recording the cases of 50 patients in a medical journal.

• This syndrome is generally more common in women.
• Also, it is important to know that there are people who only experience it once in their life. And others who suffer from it daily.
• On the other hand, there is one particular detail that we must highlight. Hearing a sudden sound that is not coming from outside, but actually responds to an auditory and visual hallucination, causes many to choose not to talk about it.
• They fear being labeled with mental illness. And as a result, there may be many more people with explosive head syndrome who have not yet been diagnosed.

What is the origin of explosive head syndrome?

Remember we are facing a sleep disorder. So it is not a neurological or psychological disorder.

So far, various theories have been stated as to what could be the origin of the explosive head. Let’s find out about them below.

Stress and anxiety

This is the explanation that meets the greatest consensus so far.

• Our brain disconnects the conscious part of our mind to bring us to this state of unconsciousness which promotes deep rest. Then an electric shock comes from our neural activity.
• When we go through times of intense stress, our brains are overactive. This arousal is very high and therefore when time stops it doesn’t reduce all that energy because there is too much neural connectivity.
• Therefore, the moment we fall asleep, this neural activity reacts with a sudden discharge (like a whiplash or increased blood pressure). This stimulates several areas: the auditory and the visual. We hear a rumble and see light.

Sleep paralysis

Another approach taken into account is that related to sleep paralysis, another type of parasomnia. Some scientists support the idea that the two sleep disorders are related.

In both cases, a feeling of panic and alarm is felt, and in addition, visual and auditory hallucinations occur.

An ear problem

The latest theory related to this type of condition is that related to a possible problem in the ear, specifically in the Eustachian tube.

The possibility of a small alteration, injury or inflammation that produces auditory hallucinations with headaches is considered.

However, this would not explain the vision of the intense lights that patients see.

Treatments for explosive head syndrome

Any problem with our rest affects our quality of life. Therefore, never hesitate to consult your doctor for any irregularity, discomfort or unusual condition.

As we have pointed out, many people do not communicate at all about this symptomatology associated with explosive head syndrome out of fear or shame.

How can I tell my doctor that I wake up at night hearing an explosion that didn’t really happen? And that I also saw bright lights around me?

Have no fear, many people suffer from this disorder and it can be treated. There are drugs such as clomipramine (a type of antidepressant) which is very effective.

In addition, techniques for dealing with stress and for promoting muscle and mental relaxation are generally very helpful.

So don’t hesitate to talk about it with the right specialists.