Thinking I'm falling when I'm asleep?!

[Alixw]

Has anyone had this thing happen to them where you just drift off to sleep but jump up suddenly beacuse you think you are falling? I wouldn't call it a dream as such, because it's too quick and i don't think that I'm properly asleep, but it really wakes me up!! I've heard a few times that when people get this it's when your heart skips a beat. Is there any truth in that?!

[Miss Zippy]

I sometimes experience a �tripping up� sensation when I�m drifting off which makes me wake up with a jump! No idea about the heart missing a beat theory.

[Englishbird]

Both of my ex boyfriends did it all the time!! - We used to call it 'falling of a curb' never seemed to wake them up as much as it did me!!

It's nothing to worry about, i've had it too but not that often.  You might get it more if you're stressed about something. Don't know about the heart beat either.

[Mowbray]

It happens to me as well, mostly when I am really tired.

Someone already asked a similar question a while ago and from what I can remember its something to do with when you'redreaming you move about and its your brain telling your body to stop these actions.  (I think I may have confused you?).

[Kishimo]

I've had that as well, can be kind of freaky at times.

Like Mowbray said, I think it's when you are actually asleep but in your dream you are moving, and your body moves too.  These movements wake you up, I guess.

[Clanad]

Most people have experienced the common "motor" sleep start � a sudden, often violent, jerk of the entire body that occurs upon falling asleep. Other forms of sleep starts also occur just as sleep begins. A "visual" sleep start is a sensation of blinding light coming from inside the eyes or head. An "auditory" sleep start is a loud snapping noise that seems to come from inside the head. Such occurrences can be frightening, but are harmless. Sleep starts are known technically as hypnic jerks, hypnagogic jerks, and predormital myoclonus. Theyare often triggered by fatigue, stress, and sleep deprivation...

[Hgrove]

I get it often.  I used to have hypnotherapy and the therapist told me it's quite common.  There is a name for it but I can't remember it.