Question
Why do you suddenly feel an unexplained fear, even unable to move, in a semi-conscious state between half-asleep and fully asleep when taking a nap at night? Does this situation indicate that there is something wrong with your body?
Answer
This unexplained fear felt when falling asleep is also known as “sleep fear” or “night panic,” a normal phenomenon that many people will experience at least once in their lives. It usually occurs during the transition from light sleep to deep sleep when certain areas of the brain are shut down while others remain active. This does not indicate that there is a physical illness but is a normal physiological response. Typically, this feeling will last only a few seconds to a few minutes before it disappears on its own. Therefore, there is no need to be overly concerned about this situation or seek special treatment. Relaxing your mind and maintaining good sleeping habits can help reduce the occurrence of such situations.