that harmless sensation as something threatening—such as an insect crawling on you.
The more you focus on the sensation, the more noticeable it can become. The more noticeable it becomes, the more anxious you feel. That anxiety can make it harder to sleep, which can make you even more sensitive the next night.
It can become a vicious cycle.
Other Possible Causes of Nighttime Crawling Sensations
Before assuming that a crawling sensation is simply formication, it’s worth considering other possibilities.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome can cause an
