Don't worry...it is just EXPLODING HEAD SYNDROME

I have EXPLODING HEAD SYNDROME...and yes it needs to be in all caps because just look at them, that must mean something really scary, like human combustion. One of these nights I will be laying in bed and suddenly my head will just EXPLODE, right? Nope.

I actually didn't know anything about this till a few months ago. My boyfriend was reading some attributes of odd and rare syndromes and he started to read, out loud; "Just as a person with Exploding Head Syndrome falls asleep, they will be hit with a loud noise, frequently reported as a loud boom or banging sound, and a bright flash of light that jerks them awake. However, it is all neurological. No noise or sound actually occurred."


Wait...WHAT? First of all...holy crap that is me! Second of all....that's not NORMAL? I thought that happened to everyone. Like the falling off a cliff thing. But noooooo, I am a special kind of freak, I guess. When I was younger I would sometimes hear a scream that would wake me up. I dubbed her the witch. 


There was no picture yet (dream) but just the audio. So I figured my dreams started in sound and the picture caught up later. Then I would, occasionally, hear a gun shot or a door slam and I would wake up thinking someone was in the house and going to kill my family before my eyes leaving me to die last. But, no one else seemed to notice it. 
As I got older I started wearing ear plugs, thinking that if someone did break in they could just kill me while I slept because at least then I get the sleep I need. Now when I hear the bang I don't freak out as much because I am pretty sure it was in my head. I also look to see if the dogs are reacting...if not...its all in my head (as so much is). 
But who the heck named this thing? Someone who wanted more attention than it warranted? I guess..."Loud Your Mind Is Just Playing Tricks On You And Is Over-Dramatic Syndrome"... was just too long.