Roommate screaming ... due to ghosts - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Magnussen · 03-10-2009, 01:57 PM

Okay, so this isn't my problem, but it's rapidly becoming my problem.

A few nights ago, I was almost asleep (but not asleep) at about 3:50am when all of the sudden, I hear these three sharp screams coming from my roommate's room. I know that he has night terrors (his ex told me that he would sometimes try to climb up the walls, or try to escape the room), so I didn't think anything of it.

Next day when we were talking, I asked him about it. He said that he was scared s***less because hovering above him, he swears that he saw a ghost. He said that he thought he knew the ghost, but couldn't exactly put a name or face to it- only that it was not a *good* ghost.

Four days go by and I don't hear anything (and he doesn't tell me anything further happened), and then last night I was awoken to the sound of repeated screaming, but this time I heard him say: "Ah! Ghost!" and then screamed my name as if to get my attention. That freaked me out, and I couldn't get back to sleep for an hour after that (I guess I'd given myself an adrenaline shot that had to wear off ...).

He's not a practical joker at all. I know of his night terrors, which lend credibility to these 'ghosts', but I really want to know what to tell him or what he should do.

It's frightening to wake up to hear your roomate screaming in fear, but if it's normal, then I suppose I'll get used to it ...

Any thoughst??

jann71 · 03-12-2009, 10:34 AM

How long have you been living in that residence? Has he mentioned anything weird happening to him while he was awake or is this the first you've heard about the "ghost"? Does he see a doctor or counselor about the night terrors? Did you go in there to check on him when he yelled your name? If so, what was he doing? Still lying in bed? Standing up?

Magnussen · 03-12-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jann71

How long have you been living in that residence? Has he mentioned anything weird happening to him while he was awake or is this the first you've heard about the "ghost"? Does he see a doctor or counselor about the night terrors? Did you go in there to check on him when he yelled your name? If so, what was he doing? Still lying in bed? Standing up?

Jann,

He and I have been living there for about 7 months, so not too long. Nothing at all weird happens to him while he's awake, but it's only the second time he's mentioned anything about ghosts. He has however mentioned that while sleeping, he sees things 'crawling up the walls', and feels the need to get out as quickly as possible, which results in him physically getting up and out of the bed and tring to 'climb' the walls.

He has told me that he hasn't seen anyone at all about the terrors, but that he's had them for a while. It's only been recently that it's gotten worse. This latest incident was different from the previous one- last time he saw a definite entity above him when he was asleep, but this time he said he saw a 'spirit mist' coming in from the cracks between the frame and the door.

I did not go in and check on him when he screamed last time, but he told me that once he woke up, he was able to get back to sleep pretty much immediately.

I've told him he should really go talk to someone about it, but he doesn't seem to think it's worthwhile.

He told me that once, while with his first girlfriend, he woke her up, telling her that someone was coming for them and they needed to leave now. She believed him and went for the door, but my roommate stopped her and said that they should go out through the bathroom window. It was only when he got to the window and was trying to climb out that he awoke and realized what he was doing.

jann71 · 03-12-2009, 01:51 PM

So once he's awake he knows he wasn't really seeing anything? Wow. Yes, I agree with you, he should definately see a doctor about this. It's not healthy for him to be going thru all that, and for you as his roommate it's not good for you either. There is probably some medication out there they could put him on that would help. How terrible to be actively doing and saying all these things while actually being asleep. I know you can't make him, but I would keep encouraging him to seek help. It must frazzle your nerves to hear him like that. I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you. I hope he will see a doctor soon and things settle down for you both. Please keep us posted.

Magnussen · 03-13-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks for your concern Jann.

If it happens again (it's really only happened a couple of times so far in the last few weeks), then I'll seriously encourage him to see a doc. He's just one of those guys who don't like doctors, believes in alternative medicine treatments, etc. ... which makes it difficult to get him to do something like that.

But, I'll give it a shot. Thanks!