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Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Hallucinations: Pathological Phenomena?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Maurice M. Ohayon ,
Robert G. Priest ,
Malijaï Caulet  and
Christian Guilleminault
Maurice M. Ohayon*
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche Philippe Pinel de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Robert G. Priest
Affiliation:
University of London, Academic Department of Psychiatry, St Mary's Hospital, London
Malijaï Caulet
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche Philippe Pinel de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Christian Guilleminault
Affiliation:
Stanford University School of Medicine, Sleep Disorders Center, Stanford, California, USA
*
Maurice M. Ohayon, Centre de Recherche Philippe Pinel de Montréal, 10905, boulevard Henri-Bourassa Est, Montréal (Québec) H1C 1H1, Canada
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Abstract

Background

Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations are common in narcolepsy. However, the prevalence of these phenomena in the general population is uncertain.

Method

A representative community sample of 4972 people in the UK, aged 15–100, was interviewed by telephone (79.6% of those contacted). Interviews were performed by lay interviewers using a computerised system that guided the interviewer through the interview process.

Results

Thirty-seven per cent of the sample reported experiencing hypnagogic hallucinations and 12.5% reported hypnopompic hallucinations. Both types of hallucinations were significantly more common among subjects with symptoms of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness or mental disorders. According to this study, the prevalence of narcolepsy in the UK is 0.04%.

Conclusions

Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations were much more common than expected, with a prevalence that far exceeds that which can be explained by the association with narcolepsy. Hypnopompic hallucinations may be a better indicator of narcolepsy than hypnagogic hallucinations in subjects reporting excessive daytime sleepiness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 4 , October 1996 , pp. 459 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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