361: Fear of Sleep

This episode explores the multifaceted fears associated with sleep, ranging from childhood anxieties to adult terrors of mortality. Ira Glass begins by recounting his childhood fear of death, triggered by his uncle's deployment to Vietnam, which led to a fear of sleep, seen as a precursor to oblivion. Against this backdrop, the episode presents personal stories, including Denise's experience with sleep paralysis and hallucinations, and Ron's violent sleepwalking episodes, highlighting the disturbing potential of the subconscious. More significantly, the discussion pivots to external threats to sleep, such as roach infestations and bedbug plagues, detailing the psychological toll these infestations take on individuals and families. The episode further examines how consciously avoiding sleep to cope with external stressors, as in Joel Lovell's story, can lead to long-term psychological consequences. Concluding with reflections on the fear of death and oblivion, the episode underscores the profound and varied ways in which sleep can become a source of anxiety and dread, reflecting a universal confrontation with mortality and the unknown.