Anyone experience seeing weird images while trying to sleep?

Right before I fall asleep sometimes I'll like see an image that just flashes before my eyes. It's kind of like a dream but not really because it's so quick and I'm still awake as it happens but it's not something I consciously made myself think of. The images usually aren't scary but it's just weird and jolts me awake again and sends my anxiety through the roof. Has anyone else experienced this or know anything to help? I've looked for answers but haven't found much. It makes me feel like I'm losing my mind or that I'm gonna have nightmares once I fall asleep. I'm having anxiety about falling asleep and it's horrible.

[Bird-67]

Yes I have had this happen lots of times, it's the anxiety playing silly games with your mind and no you are not going mad. Hope this helps.

[deborah27]

is it like a movie reel?

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

Kind of, usually it's just like one image at a time with like a minute in between I'd say

[violetgenie]

Yes I do. I think it's called conscious dreaming. Sometimes it will wake me back up.

I'm so sorry this is scaring you. Have you tried the Insight Timer app for when you are falling asleep?

[Hidden in reply to violetgenie]

No I haven't but I'll look into it!

[Hidden]

Hi this is very common and I get it too sometimes. Don't worry about it so much as it's nothing to fear. The more you worry, the more it will happen, and the more anxiety attacks you will have. It's a vicious circle.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Very true, thank you!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You are welcome. In the words of young people take a chill pill

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Literally and figuratively 😂

[MorticiaBlue]

You're not alone. After my 5th breakdown in 2017 I think it really increased my anxiety to the point that I have anxiety before and during sleep. I usually wake up, take an amxiety med, listen to my spotify list for therapeutic sleep and sleep a few more hours. Thank you because you helped me see that I'm not alone. I've kept my sleeping problem to myself.

[Youarenotalone]

You are not losing your mind. It happens to many. I have it almost daily. I am not sure about physiology of it though, neither I am interested to know much 😀 As many already said the key is not to be stressful. It happens more when you don’t sleep or if you are stressed. Eat healthy, exercise, try sleeping early with a calm mind. I can’t promise it will go away. But am sure you will be able to kind of control it i.e ignore it . some people try to actively enjoy it. Wrongly thinking they are special 😂 I was one of them lol. The best explanation I have is it is part of all the noise in your sub conscious or unconscious mind. And in most cases it is just a distorted replica of what’s going around you. It’s transient. I tried to extend it, then realized it’s not worth it. However if is bothering you. Always good to see a real doctor & psychologist in that order 😀 And avoid reading about it online. 99% of the time it doesn’t help.