Adult with CP wakes up screaming and yelling

GPR

Hello, I have a 29 year old son with CP. Within 5 minutes of him waking up in the morning or even waking up from an afternoon nap he goes into a "trance like" behavior and starts yelling , screaming, swearing and rocking up and down while he does this. This can last for 15-20 minutes and then he stops and appologizes for his behavior. This happens almost every day. Any insight would be much appreciated

Richard_Scope

Hi @GPR How long has this been going on? It must be upsetting for you both.

GPR

Hi. It's been going on for roughly 8 years 

liayn85

Hi, could this possibly have anything to do with a "noisy brain" plus the startle reflex. Meaning, his neurons are overfiring and going a little haywire, affecting some of the functioning neurons. This happens with people who go through "fight or flight response", which people with brain trauma (what CP is) are more prone to. A lot of people with CP have their startle reflex affected so that they are more sensitive to stimuli and going to/waking up from sleep.
I have CP and sometimes, on the edge of drifting to sleep, I wake up startled and gasping for air, as though something shocking had happened.This is definitely not from a dream. I also have a sensitivity to noise (misophonia), it takes me ages to go to sleep, and have had a rough few years emotionally, which I think affected it.  
Ask your son about his sleep patterns and also if he was going through a difficult time emotionally 8 years ago. If his left hemisphere is affected, which is known as being more emotion-focused, this could create difficulty too I think. Try getting him into yoga, meditation, and taking deep breaths while in bed at night. A consistent sleep schedule helps. Do not cancel out other mental illnesses since he acts strangely then can't remember it.