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Sleep Starts

Description

A sleep start is a brief, strong muscle contraction, normally in the arms or legs, that happens suddenly as one is falling asleep. This is occasionally associated with a verbal cry, and may or may not be remembered in the morning. These jerks may also occur in succession. In addition, these contractions can be associated with a dream or hallucination, a sensory flash, or the feeling of falling.
Although these are very common for people of all ages, chronic sleep starts can be repetitive and intense, leading to fear of falling asleep and anxiety. Because of repeated awakenings throughout the night, sleep deprivation or sleep-onset insomnia may occur. In very rare cases injury may occur (kicking a bedpost, or being kicked by a bed partner).

Diagnosis

Sleep starts can happen to anyone, and are characterized by sudden, harsh asymmetrical movements at the onset of sleep. These incidents may be associated with a hallucination or sensory flash, or may not even be remembered at all. They may occur alone or in succession and are sometimes accompanied by a sharp cry.

Treatment

Since this condition is so common and generally not severe there is usually no need for treatment. If the condition is depriving a person of sleep, lowering caffeine intake, emotional stress, or prior physical activity may help. If the problem persists or there is a fear of falling asleep, a sleep specialist should be consulted to make sure the problem isn’t caused by another sleeping disorder.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.