Event overview
020 7919 7882
Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit Invited Speaker Series, 2013/14
Abstract:
Exploding head syndrome is the provocative name for the experience of hearing loud noises (e.g., bombs detonating near/in one’s head; loud gunshots) during transitions between sleep and wakefulness. In spite of the fact that it has been known for over 150 years and can cause both extreme levels of fear and clinical impairment in some sufferers, it is rarely studied. This lack of attention can lead to misdiagnosis, costly and unnecessary medical tests, and shame for the sufferers. Some individuals adopt conspiracy theories as explanations for these scary episodes, and mistakenly believe that they are the target of government harassment. After discussing the history and associated features of this disorder, Dr. Sharpless will present preliminary research findings derived from a study of 39 individuals diagnosed with exploding head syndrome and a larger sample of healthy controls.
Biography
Brian A. Sharpless is an assistant professor of psychology at Washington State University and also the director of their Psychology Clinic. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology and M.A. in philosophy from the Pennsylvania State University. After graduation, he finished a post-doctoral clinical fellowship (Pennsylvania Hospital) and a post-doctoral research fellowship (Center for Psychotherapy Research) at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his current position he was on faculty at Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Sharpless has published widely on topics ranging from anxiety, professional competence, unusual sleep disorders (e.g., isolated sleep paralysis and exploding head syndrome), psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and the history/philosophy of clinical psychology.
APRU Invited Speaker Programme
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jun 2014 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm |
Accessibility
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