Martial Arts and Sleepwalking...kinda creepy

Makalakumu

Gonzo Karate Apocalypse
MT Mentor
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
13,887
Reaction score
232
Location
Hawaii
This is one of those weird and creepy things that is kinda hard to talk about so bare with me...

I regularly dream about doing martial arts or fighting or some such. On a few occasions, when I woke the next morning, my wife would let me know that I was making quite a ruckus in bed...talking or shouting at someone or punching and kicking the sheets. A few times I actually put her into a couple of holds. I remember nothing about this when it happens.

Usually, my wife just tells me to go back to sleep and I do and the times I have grabbed onto her, she just slipped the lock and pushed me away telling me strongly to go back to sleep.

Here is where the story/problem gets creepy. Last night I was discussing knife work with my students and when I went to bed, I was still thinking about it. When I woke up this morning, my wife said that I was sitting up in bed talking to myself last night. I was pointing out places where cutting would be extremely effective. She told me to go back to sleep, but I grabbed her arm instead and I guess I was trying to explain it to her. She slipped my grip, told me again to go back to sleep and I did. I remember absolutley nothing.

I'm really creeped out by this and I'm kinda questioning how much I can trust myself. Thank goodness I didn't have any knives up in the room. This is really really weird and I'm wondering if it happens to anyone else? Does anyone have any experience or insight into this? I don't sleepwalk or sleepact very often maybe only a couple times a year, but the combination of my training and sleepwalking a couple times a year is really bothering me...

upnorthkyosa
 

Bob Hubbard

Retired
MT Mentor
Founding Member
Lifetime Supporting Member
MTS Alumni
Joined
Aug 4, 2001
Messages
47,245
Reaction score
771
Location
Land of the Free
Sounds like your mind continues to 'run' when you're trying to sleep. Maybe try some 'calming' meditations before retiring? Help 'turn off' your brain?
 

MA-Caver

Sr. Grandmaster
MT Mentor
Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Messages
14,960
Reaction score
312
Location
Chattanooga, TN
upnorthkyosa said:
This is one of those weird and creepy things that is kinda hard to talk about so bare with me...

I regularly dream about doing martial arts or fighting or some such. On a few occasions, when I woke the next morning, my wife would let me know that I was making quite a ruckus in bed...talking or shouting at someone or punching and kicking the sheets. A few times I actually put her into a couple of holds. I remember nothing about this when it happens.

Usually, my wife just tells me to go back to sleep and I do and the times I have grabbed onto her, she just slipped the lock and pushed me away telling me strongly to go back to sleep.

Here is where the story/problem gets creepy. Last night I was discussing knife work with my students and when I went to bed, I was still thinking about it. When I woke up this morning, my wife said that I was sitting up in bed talking to myself last night. I was pointing out places where cutting would be extremely effective. She told me to go back to sleep, but I grabbed her arm instead and I guess I was trying to explain it to her. She slipped my grip, told me again to go back to sleep and I did. I remember absolutley nothing.

I'm really creeped out by this and I'm kinda questioning how much I can trust myself. Thank goodness I didn't have any knives up in the room. This is really really weird and I'm wondering if it happens to anyone else? Does anyone have any experience or insight into this? I don't sleepwalk or sleepact very often maybe only a couple times a year, but the combination of my training and sleepwalking a couple times a year is really bothering me...

upnorthkyosa
I know that this may sound one way but in a serious way... get help.
Talking knife-work in your sleep and not being deterred by your wife's command of going back to sleep.
Given other symptoms/actions of your sleepwalking. Better put away all sharp objects until your problem is resolved.
Not that often you say... but I'm sure you don't want to wake up one morning in a twisted scene from the Godfather...
Go see a doctor. Perhaps there's a sedative strong enough to keep you under and not let your subconcious take over. Either that or you and your missus get seperate bedrooms and she has dead bolts on her side of the door.
Kudos to your wife for her patience. I bet she secretly wishes that it was your "mr. fixit" phase that was coming out instead of your martial arts, at least the painting in the kitchen will get done. :D
 

Tgace

Grandmaster
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
7,766
Reaction score
409
http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/neurology/faq/sleepwalking.html

How common is sleepwalking in adults? Is there anything a person can do to prevent it?

Some statistics suggest that 1 percent or less of the adult population may sleep walk. As indicated before, many experts believe that adults who sleep walk often have strong underlying psychological difficulties that may be responsible in some way for the nighttime behavior. In some reports, fever with illness, sleep deprivation, the excessive use of certain drugs may also make sleep walking worse. In these cases, as stated before, in an attempts to prevent further sleep walking episodes, the neuropsychologists in our insomnia clinic will thoroughly evaluate for these possibilities and then institute appropriate behavioral, cognitive or recommend medications that might be deemed appropriate for what would otherwise the primary problems. When we have an otherwise normal individual, child or adult, who for example would like to go on a mountain-side campout, where sleep walking could be life threatening, we often recommend a single night 's use of a medicine in the group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These medications, simplistically put, insert a fast brain wave activity that in some regards parallels a disruption of the normal deep delta brain wave pattern from where sleep walking generally arises. As such, a marked reduction in the capacity to sleep walk is generally appreciated. Nevertheless, there are many hazards that are possible with the chronic use of these medications, although there use can be considered in severe cases.
 

Tgace

Grandmaster
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
7,766
Reaction score
409
Most times this stuff is associated with sleep deprivation, stress and in some cases psychological disorders or substance abuse. I remember when I returned from the service my wife said there were times it sounded like I was barking out orders in my sleep, standing at attention in bed etc. and a few times I hit her (without any power according to her). That was undoubtedly due to sleep dep. and stress. Did you sleepwalk as a child? Is this a recent development?

I would recommend seeing your doctor and perhaps get into a sleep clinic.
 
OP
Makalakumu

Makalakumu

Gonzo Karate Apocalypse
MT Mentor
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
13,887
Reaction score
232
Location
Hawaii
Tgace said:
Did you sleepwalk as a child? Is this a recent development?

Yeah, as a kid, I was much worse. I fell down the stairs. I ended up outside a few times. Then, it just went away. Now, its a pretty rare occurance. Maybe I still should see a doctor...
 

Solidman82

Purple Belt
Joined
Oct 7, 2005
Messages
363
Reaction score
1
Location
Canada
First of all, I'm not a doctor so my advice isn't professional. Don't pay me for it.

I believe when you get to that stage of sleep you're partially paralysed. I don't think your holds or strikes are much stronger then a small kid's. But the knife thing is a problem because even an infant can cut someone.

I think I may follow suit with the rest of the posts and say, get help. If not for you then buy your wife a suit of armor to sleep in. Or if you want to use my trick for a goodnight's sleep you can take two Benadryl (I actually use it for other symptoms but the sleep is a welcome side effect.)

I don't have a wife so the only person I hurt is myself. I've punched, kneed and elbowed the wall on more then one occasion. And one time I believe I was actually dreaming about dodging a punch and I smashed my head into the wall, leaving a dent in the wall and blood on my head. (I didn't remember it either. When I was a small kid I used to fall out of the top bunk and not wake up until morning, with a big head/back ache. If I ever get married or have to sleep next to someone I'll make sure to get myself knocked out every night so I don't wake up. My last girlfriend actually told me I kicked her a few times but she was a tough girl and said it wasn't very hard. Lucky I didn't headbutt her though.:erg:
 

UpNorthMum

Yellow Belt
Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Messages
23
Reaction score
2
Location
Superior, Wisconsin
Okay, okay, I must clear a few things up for the sake of my husband. :) He's really freaked out by this, but as the receiver of the "creepy" behavior, I can say it's not as bad as it sounds. It's certainly weird, but it doesn't happen as often as he thinks (I think he dreams it, though). About 6 years ago he put me into a leglock (not hard) in his sleep and I was able to easily remove myself from it. A couple times he's babbled about something and I'll just tell him to sleep. Last night was the weird one. He was sitting up, grabbing my arm, jolting me awake. He told me as he was holding my arm (again, not hard) that "right here would be a good place for a cut." He started explaining why it's a good place, but it sounded garbled since he was sleeping. I kept saying, "what?" because I wanted to figure out what he was talking about. FInally he said, "nevermind, I'll tell you later" and went back to sleep. I'm truly not worried about it. He is CONSTANTLY using my body to show how certain things would work in the wakeful world. I don't think he'd really use a knife, that's why he was using his hands last night.

That said, I am going to call our doctor tomorrow to get him a referral to a sleep specialist. I definitely chalk a lot of this up to sleep deprivation since our son frequently night wakes and John gets up at 4:30 to practice each day. He also has a very stressful position at work. It all makes sense. Still, it doesn't hurt to have it checked out!

I DO like the idea of "Mr. Fix-it" at night. That would be fantastic. :)
 

michaeledward

Grandmaster
Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
6,063
Reaction score
82
OK ... I don't think this event has been repeated since ... but ...

Many years ago, I went to the local arcade. I spent three or four hours playing the video game 'Bezerk' -- basically, I ran through a maze shooting robots.

Got home at about 9:30 and went to bed.

The next morning, my mother asked me where I went the night before. She said at about 11:00 at night, I walked out of the house and was gone for twenty minutes, came back in and went back to bed.

I have no recollection. I do try to take it easy on the video games (not very successful, though).

I was awfully glad I didn't sleep nude at that point in my life.

As for you, UpNorth, don't keep any weapons in your bedroom. ;)
 
C

CrankyDragon

Guest
Bob Hubbard said:
Sounds like your mind continues to 'run' when you're trying to sleep. Maybe try some 'calming' meditations before retiring? Help 'turn off' your brain?
Sleepwaling for adults and chidren are different, and the above suggestion sounds best. If it continues, Id see a doctor, maybe some mild meds that would help.


In the mean time, tell your wife I said to put a stun gun (with fresh 9V battery!) on her night stand, and next time you grab her or put her in a hold, that shes to ZAP ya. :) That should slow your roll a tad bit! HAHA!

Keep us posted,
Andrew
 

Tgace

Grandmaster
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
7,766
Reaction score
409
Had a sleepwalker jump out of his second story window last summer. He was hurt pretty bad. Some people think that sleepwalking is kinda funny, but it can be dangerous. If its just talking and occasional behavior like flailing, grabbing I wouldnt worry too much. If you are walking around or get violent then it becomes more serious. It still never hurts to talk to the Doc.
 
OP
Makalakumu

Makalakumu

Gonzo Karate Apocalypse
MT Mentor
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
13,887
Reaction score
232
Location
Hawaii
Tgace said:
It still never hurts to talk to the Doc.

My thoughts exactly. :asian:

We'll see what happens.
 
J

jbclinic

Guest
i constantly think techniques,senieros, marketing, training etc., i look to win all the poundering will pay off not necessarily in money but contribute a long or to martial arts
 

Icewater

Orange Belt
Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Messages
71
Reaction score
2
I'm a former sleep walker from my youth. Most notoriously I would get out of bed and find a comfortable place to relieve myself. You know, the closet, the laundry basket, just to the right of the toilet, etc...

Today I tend to talk and flail a bit in my sleep, but like you my wife just tells me to go back to sleep and I do. I only tend to do it when I go to bed thinking about something that happened during the day or something's been on my mind. I would try some calming music or reading before sleep.
 

Laborn

Blue Belt
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
223
Reaction score
1
Location
Somewhere in USA
It may be nothing but still be cautious. I sleep walk ...i have knives and swords up on my wall across the house from my room, once i remember waking up sitting down with a sword in my hands, it gets odd. my mom said she caught me once when i was sleep walking i went outside and was muttering some weird things at my heavy bag. my dad was a real bad sleep walker, he would go out of the house and take a run. Me personal i can get kinda violent if someone touches or talks to me when im sleep walking. but i sounds worse then your hubby lmao, mabye i need to see a doc? LOL.
 

Latest Discussions

Top