A Really Weird Sleeping Problem! - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Medeave · 10-17-2005, 06:46 PM

Hey, I've been searching for a while about this, with little to no information found so I wanted to see if any of you could share any ideas, help, etc with me to help me out...

Basically, every night before I go to bed it's turned into a compulsion for me to roll back in forth in my sleep on my back for about 30 minutes to up to 2 hours (usually only 1 though), listening to music and singing along or sometimes I get lost in thought and don't sing. But in any case I always do this and sometimes I'll also do it when I wake up or when I get home from work/school and when I do this at night before bed, it takes off 30 to 2 hours worth of sleep for me. I don't know what to make of it, but it seems to best fit under these forums, so is there anyone who can make a suggestion, etc for this?

degen95 · 10-17-2005, 07:33 PM

its not that uncommon. i also have something similar and it really is frustrating. its called "delayed sleep phase syndrome" and you can look it up on the web.

i really don't consider it that different from insomnia.

analog2000 · 10-23-2005, 08:10 PM

This doesn't sound anything like Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) to me. In DSPS, the person is often described as a "night owl." It is as if their biological clocks are just out of synch with the rest of the world. Usually people with DSPS can't fall asleep until late (like 1-2am) and then can't get up in the morning for work.

As to what could be going on... It might not be a sleep disorder. Perhaps it is some type of anxiety disorder? Have you spoken with your doctor?

The closest thing I could think of in terms of sleep disorders is Rhythmic Movement Disorder (RMD). People with RMD will rock, kick, roll, etc. during sleep, and sometimes when falling asleep or first waking up. You can find more info on-line, it is pretty interesting stuff.

Good luck.

Lindsey21 · 12-30-2005, 09:18 PM

Wow. Last night I woke up because i couldnt sleep, so I decided I would look online for something that could explain to me why I rock back and forth everynight before I go to bed. To me, its of course normal, but not normal enough to tell people about. I thought that nobody else in the world did it. I do exactly everything Medeave was saying, singing, or just letting my mind wander. I also wake up and start rocking. My parents always said they thought it was because when i was little i sucked my thumb and when i had to stop i started rocking myself to sleep. Ive tried to force myself to stop but its not easy. I think it might also be the Rythmic Movement Disorder, atlease thats the closest thing to what Im doing. Maybe im just weird.

barbra31 · 06-07-2006, 06:40 PM

oh my god, i started to cry when i read this post , im 32 and i do the same thing i roll my head back and forth in my bed with my head phones on for hours ....i have done this all my life and i thought i was crazy.....because i did not know why i do this and im fully awake but its like my mind is in another world , ...MY "happy place " but i spend more time there then in the real world ......all of my family is addicted to somthing and i know what saved me from that was the fact that i have this head rolling thing but its keeping me from going out a getting a REAL life....but i know how to stop wanting to do it...is this just some form of addiction and i should treat it as such or is there something medical

thankyou