i feel so stupid but for the past week i have been scared  

That does sound a little worrying to me and like you said, I am sure it is not very good for your health at all. I know you said that you feel afraid of falling asleep. I was just wondering if it was anything to do with nightmares i.e bad dreams. Perhaps you have been having bad dreams and that is why you do not want to sleep?

Have you had any nightmares lately, or watched any scary movies? Have you spooked yourself out, and then continued to do so without knowing it? There are times I spook myself and won't go to sleep for awhile. Maybe your too wired up during the day, or too stressed and tense. Does Insomnia run in your family? I don't know the symptoms of insomnia but it could be possible that you freak yourself out so that your body wakes up and doesn't sleep.

I don't know. Hope you can figure it out though.

It might not be that you're scared of falling asleep. It could just be that you CAN'T fall asleep. It may just be insomnia, as everyone gets it from time to time.
If you actually are afraid of falling asleep then you should drink a glass of warm milk before going to bed. I heard it helps people to fall asleep.

Well I am completely clueless, but I did find this while I was Googling "fear of falling asleep":

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic67399.html

maybe there's something useful there?

That is strange....maybe it delayed seperation from the twins....having them around might have not only tired you out but been some sort of a comfort factor....my little granddaughter hasn't stayed for a while as we have been up at the camper on weekends....but my son emailed me today that she was crabby and told him she wanted a sleep over here....so we are arranging it.....I miss her too..so maybe you are missing the little ones....it is a comfort to have them around.

Sounds like anxiety to me. Maybe you are on the verge of having a panick attack. That would make you afraid. I would mention it to your doctor.

Cynthi, This is very troubling to me that u are having this problem, bless your heart. U have always seemed like such a strong person & u seem to have so much faith. U have been through a pretty traumatic time w/the twins leaving , worrying about your ol' mean boss etc. it may have just all caught up w/u. Go see your dr. & see if he can't give u something to settle u down. i'm sure he can. I HOPE u get to feeling better real soon. I'm a good listener if u need to talk anytime. HUGS, JO

Is it irrational? Yes. However, I must say I've suffered from this type of problem before. I used to be utterly terrified of falling asleep. I'd end up fighting it so badly that I'd end up staying up all night and all day to the point of exhaustion and then I'd crash.

My problem was very related to anxiety and depression. Once I got on medication and was properly diagnosed, I started to drop that bad habit. However it still pops up now and then.

That's very odd. I've never been afraid to fall asleep myself, not unless I'm not feeling right and actually worried about my health. I hope you get it figured out and get some rest!

Things have changed for you lately. Have they not? Or have they? The "normal" things in your life and daily routine have been disrupted. You could be apprehensive. You could also be sensing a pending sort of problem, such as someone coming in on you and harming you.
I had the same problem a time or two, when I had people in my home all of the time and then all of a sudden things changed and mostly I was alone or just had me and the children in the home. I don't fear death, that for me is a welcome part of my life. I will be at peace and not in pain any more when I die.