Half Asleep but Still Dreaming

By Judy Ferguson

2 min read

Each day that I live with narcolepsy, I am learning how to better describe so many of the bizarre symptoms that I experience on a day to day basis. The idea of being half asleep, but still dreaming is something that has taken me a very long time to understand and articulate to those around me.

I have experienced sleep paralysis a number of times, which is a sensation I would not wish upon my worst enemies. But somehow this phenomenon I was experiencing in my daily naps was very different from that familiar feeling of being paralysed in my body upon waking.

Quick Quiz

True or False: About 50% of people with narcolepsy have hallucinations and vivid dreams.

When dreams meet reality

Each day when I lay down to have my scheduled naps, I never actually feel as though I have fallen asleep. I can hear everything going on around me; people talking, cars driving by, even the rain falling on my roof. I can’t talk, or move, but unlike sleep paralysis, in this situation I feel like I am making the choice to ‘stay asleep’, not being trapped inside my body.

If I stay in this state long enough my dreams begin to intrude on whatever is happening around me, and this is the part that feels so bizarre to experience.

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Was it real or just a dream?

Let me give you an example...the other day I was asleep on the couch after lunch, which is a very normal daily occurrence for me, and I heard my partner start talking to me from the other room. I was too tired to respond so I just let myself lay there in my sleepy state and figured he would realise eventually that I was asleep and not just ignoring him.

For some reason on this day, it was taking longer than usual for him to realise I was sleeping, and so my brain started forming my dream around what he was telling me. I thought I had woken up, walked to the kitchen, and continued the conversation, when in reality I was still fast asleep on the couch!

I woke up so confused because in my mind I didn’t remember going back to the couch to sleep. It was so vivid I could recount every detail of the conversation, and the smallest details like my dog sitting at the window tilting her head at me. But none of it was real. It took me bringing it up with my partner later to find out that actually I had never gotten up, or spoken to him. In fact, he came into the lounge room after I hadn’t replied to find me snoring on the couch as usual!

No longer confused

The first few times this happened, I was, understandably, very disorientated and confused. However, I know a few more things about my narcolepsy now, and the strange ways it can present itself, and so I know that in times like this I just need to trust those around me and ask them if any of it was real, or if I was just half asleep and dreaming.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Narcolepsy.Sleep-Disorders.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Lyaneris Member
I don't take scheduled naps (mostly because they'd turn into 4-5h sleep and I tend to get nauceous if I only slept for a short while), but I often have similar dreams. I life above my parents, but often times I'll remember being downstairs and talking to one of them, only to later find out I only dreamed about that. Usually there is some detail off about the conversation, but it takes a while to realize. I do also have the opposite - if I'm woken up, I'm very likely to go into automatic behaviour. This can be as simple as answering to "Are you up?" with "yes" to sitting up in bed to promising my sister something impossible (so she'll go away and let me sleep) to getting math questions right (everyones math teacher would be proud, I guess). I fall back asleep afterwards and can't remember them. My mom tells me afterwards - it took a few years for her to realize and accept that I don't do it on purpose.
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 I am glad your mother finally came around, <inline-mention username="Lyaneris" user-id="8292766"/>, and that you live above your parents. That must be helpful given your situation. I have heard of people doing very complicated math in that state and never remembering any of it. The mind and the nervous system is still such a mystery to us despite all the knowledge we currently have. - Lori (Team Member)
2. Lyaneris Member
 It's great to know I'm not the only one doing it 😀 Living above my parents is indeed great. I couldn't really live alone atm, I don't think. But it gives me the privacy I like.
Farah Member
Omg the part "I can hear everything going on around me", conscious of it while having some 'sleep' is so resonated with me! Whenever I take a nap, I am confused whether I get some sleep or not since I'm still conscious. Turns out it's a thing in narcolepsy. Now it makes more sense for me, thank you for sharing your experience.
HollyBear Member
I remember, even as a small child, having these experiences. I literally thought I was crazy. I would fall asleep on the couch or floor or in a chair and life would be going on around me. I could hear my parents or siblings talking, the television or radio playing, and be able to make perfect sense of it all. I would believe that I was awake and moving around the room. So many times, I would just keep telling myself that it wasn't real, just a dream. Only a few times, I would actually wake up in another room. THAT was extremely upsetting. I was a very active sleepwalker as well, my mom caught me several times headed out the door. It is very difficult trying to explain Narcolepsy and all the outlandish things that can happen to someone. It is also very discouraging to have my spouse of twenty-some-odd years not believe me. To not believe that I just can not control when or where my condition is going to attack me. Having someone ask me why I'm so tired, I haven't done anything to be that tired. I've actually given up trying, Why should keep beating my head against the wall? My spouse has experienced my sleep paralysis, zone-outs, and many other symptoms but he just doesn't care. Well, that went down hill pretty quickly. Sorry
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 No need to apologize, <inline-mention username="HollyBear" user-id="4703224"/>. That's what we are here for - to offer support and a safe place to vent. I wish you had more support from your husband, especially after all these years. Has he ever gone to neurologist appointments with you? Unfortunately, some people cope with these things with denial. If they deny the condition, then they don't have to make changes in their own lifestyles to accomodate it. If you can't change him, have you considered seeing a therapist to help you cope with the stress? Warm wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
P-Shaz Member
Totally happened to me before. Especially when I am in a room with others. I never go out, I'm there, but feel like I am asleep. Your sentence "unlike sleep paralysis, in this situation I feel like I am making the choice to ‘stay asleep’, not being trapped inside my body." made me realize I may have some paralysis after all. I often dream I am trying to stay awake but can't help falling asleep. It feels like being drugged. you go in and out, and in and out, the whole time trying to be awake, but slipping back under. starting to panic that you can't stay awake. I never made that connection before. thanks
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 HI <inline-mention username="P-Shaz" user-id="4157628"/>. I am glad the article helped you feel less alone. Has your doctor ever had any thoughts on this? Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
2. P-Shaz Member
 never brought it up. i will now tho
leiterportillo88 Member
I completely agree with the way you describe this. I have also had this. I will be laying there and think that I have gotten up to get the door, because someone was knocking or got up to go to the bathroom, etc. When I finally do wake up I either find out that it did not happen only because of not having something in my hand that I thought I did or literally asking someone if this happened or not.
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 I can imagine that is terrifying, <inline-mention username="leiterportillo88" user-id="7000446"/>. Have you ever talked with your doctor about how you feel? Your doctor might be able to give you assurances from a medical perspective about what condition you would be in during those states and how lay people might react. You might also consider getting a medical alert bracelet so you can be sure strangers, especially medical personnel. None of that will change your condition, but maybe it will help allay some of your fears. - Lori (Team Member)
2. leiterportillo88 Member
 I did get a tag that is on my key ring that can be scanned with my medical condition. But the bracelet would still come in handy. Not everyone is up with the technology for that. I had not talked to the doctor specifically about that. I will have to get with him. I really appreciate the suggestion. After so long, it s more what I am used to. I have to be careful that I don't use the narcolepsy as an "excuse" to be and or do less than I am able. I really appreciate the ideas.
chaotik_lord Member
Yes, sometimes with funny or meaningless results, like realizing everything was ten degrees off of where I thought it was, or the noises were enhanced or added, or the plot of a TV show is wrong in my mind for years. But the biggest ones that matter were typically in class-and as a bonus, if I was not intending to go to sleep, in these states my notebook would be full of meaningless scribbles, even though I was trying to write the words with my hand and thought it was happening. Were the words right going into my head? Plenty of times. Why did they exit incorrectly? What’s this half-paralysis, and was it occurring in my written language center, my fine motor center, my executive function…what is happening? Crazy stuff.
1. P-Shaz Member
 I've done that for years. Lean my head in my hand and sleep to wake up to all sorts of scribbles. My mind wants the teacher or boss to think I am awake! Sometimes I type garbage too.
Maria Member
Welcome my friend. Thatvwas terrível when I was in College. I thought I was awake in clássico, but suddenly something strange happens, like a caw passing by or The class in the middle of a forest. I try to wake up, and I think I`m awake, but it's just another dream. And that kepps going for a long time untill I finally awake. 
1. Allison Echols Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="Maria" user-id="4664425"/>, I'm so sorry to hear that you experienced that! Do you still experience similar symptoms now? Best, Allison (Team Member)
NeedSleep Member
I’ve read a lot of good posts on here but I really like this one as it’s such a hard symptom to explain. I find them very hard to deal with 🙁 but also find it fascinating how powerful the brain is, as I can seem to remember every little detail of the area I’m hallucinating about. Yet I can’t tell you where I left my house keys most of the time. It happens to on my scheduled naps too, but also if I’ve dropped back to sleep after my morning alarm. I hallucinate that’s I’ve got up and started my morning routine. Not good for time keeping :/
shay Member
At times, I will think that I am awake but and see bizarre things. Our bedroom is off from the kitchen. I have seen horses, cats, and all kinds of animals and things in my small galley kitchen. A few times, I have seen a bride in front of my fridge and a couple of other characters. I have become used to it and will “enjoy the show” for a couple of minutes and then go back to sleep. I remind myself, “These are not real!” My husband teases me that we have a portal. The “portal” is my brain!
1. Kristin Schwoebel Community Admin
 Thanks for sharing <inline-mention user-id="4122318" username="shay"/> and I know many in the community can relate to this feeling! It really is like a "portal" so to speak. Warmly, Kristin (Narcolepsy.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member)
Iris Vasconcelos Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="4121610" username="Judy Ferguson"/> This symptom is one of the hardest to cope with in my opinion because it literally feels like your body isn't in your control and hence why its so scary and confusing. I had it happen already twice this week and both times I had to call my sister straight away to check if those things had actually happened. Amazing article! Thank you! x Iris
1. Judy Ferguson Moderator & Contributor
 Yes! It is such a bizarre feeling. It can be so frustrating to have that blurred line between reality and dreams! It's so good that you can call your sister to do some fact-checking, I always do that with my partner as well. It is much easier than trying to work it out alone! Thankyou for your kind words <inline-mention user-id="4121607" username="Iris Vasconcelos"/> x Take Care, Judy