Mind awake, body asleep?

[malliemut]

For the past few months, since Nov, I've been having this problem with waking up. It just started suddenly and happens a few night a moths, once to three times in the same night.
Usually its morning, after a full nights sleep, when it happens. My mind will wake up. I'll be compleatly conciouse. I can think, remember, everything as when I'm fully awake, but my body stays asleep. I feel literaly paralyzed, in a coma. Everything is dark. It's just like I'm laying there with my eyes closed but I can't move or screem now matter how hard I try. Usually I freak out and lay there for a while trying to wake my body up somehow till my husband hears me wimpering, cause I'm trying to screem for him, and he wakes me up. I know it's not just a bad dream and I'm scared my body might never wake up one day. Can anyone help on what this is or advice or something?

[Suri123]

Hi, its strange what you are facing, too much stress mentally and physically coupled with disturbed sleep seems to be. Are you able to move your body parts normally or it is laboured. how do you feel in day time and do you have day sleep, if so do you feel the same. Seek a sleep specialist attention for a sleep study. Keep updating your views and visits. Take care.

[malliemut]

I really don't have Any sleep problems other than that. Sometimes I'll take a nap in the day but it's not really needed. It's always been after a full nights rest.
If I try really really hard for a long time i think my arms or fingers might twitch but other than wimpering when I try to screem I cant get controll of my body. Last time I tried breathing really fast to wake up my hubby and it seemed to work but when no one is there I wake up by just suddenly snaping out of it and opening my eyes and I'm ok.
I will try to see a doc about it and post back.

[Suri123]

Hi, thanks for your feedback and hope you to get well soon, its better to seek medical advise ratherthan keep suffering. Also good idea to consult a neurologist also. Your input will be of great help for some of viewers with similar problems, keep updating on visits. Take care. Good luck.

[LNick]

It sounds to me like you suffer from "Sleep Paralysis".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis

I've had this problem for years, and I'm quite sure (at least for me) it's stress related as it  started happening when I started having panic attacks. I was horrified the first few times it happened, but I'm pretty much used to it when it happens now. One thing I noticed is it rarely happens to me unless I'm laying on my back. Do you usually sleep on your back?

[Suri123]

Hi, its good idea that all readers can also give your opinion or share your experience as one or other person may benefit from suggessions posted. Keep updating similarly. Take care.

[deep_aquarian]

Hi malliemut,
You know what, I used to have the same experience around 10 years back. I used to wake up, but my body would be stiff. I would then realize that I might have slept for just 5 hours, 2 hours less that usual,
I would smile at myself, remember the things that make me happy... and get enough time to let my body wake up in the mean time. Within the next 5-15 minutes, my body would also wake up and I would get up like any other normal day. I personally feel that this is something which you can take care of yourself, by teaching your mind to mind to relax when it happens the next time. You may feel that you do not need any medical assistance at all.
Best Wishes.

[Suri123]

Hi malliemut, hope you are doing well? Also to deep_aquarian, thanks for sharing some of your experience and your positive inspiration for all those who are suffering from similar sort of problems and struggling to get out of these sleep paralysis. Stress is one of the common reason and one need to focus on relaxing both physically and mentally. Never to get frightened, as this does not cause any harm or injury to self, try to relax and focus on moving any one part of body like limbs slowly. Doing morning-evening walk, stretches, have nutritious diet with lot of water or other liquids, having hot shower and listen to soft music before going to bed could be soothing to mind and body so it may be of some help. Seek medical attention from your doctor if it continuous. Take care.