Exploding Head Syndrome

Exploding head syndrome, or EHS, is a parasomniac sleep disorder, meaning a behavior that interrupts one’s sleep. Also classified as episodic cranial sensory shocks, this condition is characterized by hearing a loud noise or explosive crashing in your head that isn’t real or heard by anyone else. The frequency of these episodes varies: several in one night or for several nights in a row, or months between episodes have occurred before.

What causes Exploding Head Syndrome?

Studies are yet to show any genetic ties that may contribute to EHS.

However, some common causes include:

• Issues/damage to inner ear

• Tiny, quick seizures in brain’s temporal lobe

• Abnormal sleep-wake transition

• Sudden & unexpected electrical activity in sensory neurons

• Aura before migraine headache

• Side effects from stopping selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or benzodiazepines that are taken to treat depression and/or anxiety disorders

What are the symptoms of Exploding Head Syndrome?

Hearing an imagined loud noise is the primary symptom. This noise could sound like:

• An explosion

• Gunshots

• Thunder

• A storm

• Loud musical instruments (cymbals, drums)

• Shattering glass

• Car accident

• Any other sudden loud bang

  
  

However, this sound is entirely psychological and will not cause any pain or damage to the ears. Some other EHS symptoms that occur include:

• Muscle jerks (myoclonus)

• Waking up sweating

• Trouble going back to sleep

• Seeing flashes of light (photopsia)

• Heart palpitations, feeling like your heart is racing

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

• Feeling anxious, frightened

  
  

How is Exploding Head Syndrome diagnosed and treated?

Discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider can lead to some tests, which could include a sleep study (polysomnography), EEG, and MRI. Then, EHS can be diagnosed.

As for treatment, there is currently no cure. However, many drugs can be prescribed to help with symptoms of parasomnias in general. These include topiramate, which is an antiseizure drug, nifedipine, a heart disease medication, amitriptyline, an antidepressant, and clomipramine, an obsessive-compulsive disorder medication.

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Works Cited

“Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland

Clinic, 19 Oct. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21907-exploding-head-syndrome-ehs.