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Sleep paralysis
So the past few nights I haven't told anyone because I didn't wana be considered mentally unstable but once I finally fall asleep its the crAziest thing. I lay there and my body goes numb and I am awake seemingly. And I have been seeing shadow figures that creep way too close to me. I cannot see their faces or make out what they are but I have looked it up and it is a sleep disorder called sleep paralysis. It is when your body falls asleep before your
Mind and you are physically unable to move your in rem part of sleep and your able to dream and also half awake. It is scaring me terribly. I will lay there unable to move or
Wake myself and all I can think is god please help me someone come wake me up. Last night was the worst a shadow sat down on my bed and had the had over my face. I prayed to god to make it stop and next thing I knew I was awake. I'm deathly afraid to sleep tonight. Here is An article on the disorder.
Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to REM atonia, the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Sleep paralysis occurs either when falling asleep, or when awakening. When it occurs upon falling asleep, the person remains aware while the body shuts down for REM sleep, and it is called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called hypnopompic or postdormital.[5] The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, "by which the individual may experience panic symptoms"[6] (described below). As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not entirely complete; use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes.[7] When there is an absence of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is referred to as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP).[8]
accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic), perceived deafening loud noise and an acute sense of danger.[9] Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations.[8] The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters
You wake up, but you can’t move a muscle. Lying in bed, you’re totally conscious, and you realize that strange things are happening. There’s a crushing weight on your chest that’s humanoid. And it’s evil.
You’ve awakened into the dream world.
This is not the conceit for a new horror movie starring a ragged middle-aged Freddie Prinze Jr., it’s a standard description of the experience of a real medical condition: sleep paralysis. It’s a strange phenomenon that seems to happen to about half the population at least once.
People who experience it find themselves awake in the dream world for anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes, often experiencing hallucinations with dark undertones. Cultures from everywhere from Newfoundland to the Caribbean to Japan have come up with spiritual explanations for the phenomenon. Now, a new article in The Psychologist suggests sleep researchers are finally figuring out the neurological basis of the condition.
It's the scariest thing ever. I don't know what to do. Should I talk to my counselor and has anyone experienced this. Please I need help.
Mind and you are physically unable to move your in rem part of sleep and your able to dream and also half awake. It is scaring me terribly. I will lay there unable to move or
Wake myself and all I can think is god please help me someone come wake me up. Last night was the worst a shadow sat down on my bed and had the had over my face. I prayed to god to make it stop and next thing I knew I was awake. I'm deathly afraid to sleep tonight. Here is An article on the disorder.
Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to REM atonia, the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Sleep paralysis occurs either when falling asleep, or when awakening. When it occurs upon falling asleep, the person remains aware while the body shuts down for REM sleep, and it is called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called hypnopompic or postdormital.[5] The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, "by which the individual may experience panic symptoms"[6] (described below). As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not entirely complete; use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes.[7] When there is an absence of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is referred to as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP).[8]
accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic), perceived deafening loud noise and an acute sense of danger.[9] Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations.[8] The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters
You wake up, but you can’t move a muscle. Lying in bed, you’re totally conscious, and you realize that strange things are happening. There’s a crushing weight on your chest that’s humanoid. And it’s evil.
You’ve awakened into the dream world.
This is not the conceit for a new horror movie starring a ragged middle-aged Freddie Prinze Jr., it’s a standard description of the experience of a real medical condition: sleep paralysis. It’s a strange phenomenon that seems to happen to about half the population at least once.
People who experience it find themselves awake in the dream world for anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes, often experiencing hallucinations with dark undertones. Cultures from everywhere from Newfoundland to the Caribbean to Japan have come up with spiritual explanations for the phenomenon. Now, a new article in The Psychologist suggests sleep researchers are finally figuring out the neurological basis of the condition.
It's the scariest thing ever. I don't know what to do. Should I talk to my counselor and has anyone experienced this. Please I need help.
during my first week off methadone i woke up in a state of sleep paralyses,i felt like i couldn't breathe like there was a huge brick on my chest and i couldn't move any of my limbs or open my eyes. even though i couldn't open my eyes i could see for some reason "i know sounds strange". it happened to me twice that night. i found laying on my side helped, i believe it did anyway cause it didn't happen for a third time that night. I've also had other experiences with this while on methadone, and it's very scary cause it seems so real. crazy when i think about it and i'm so glad you posted this thread and so many of you responded. i thought i was alone but apparently not. i hope you got yourself some sleep last night.
Lynn, just adding my post to the check in for you. I hope you finally got some rest and feeling better today. If not, let us know how we can help! You have been such a positive in my life here and with others.
Good morning, Lynn. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and hope you got some rest :)
Hi there!
Im so sorry you are dealing with this. I get this frequently and have had it since I was a child. Its worse than a nightmare, I know. It's so very scary that you think it will happen to you every time you sleep. I know it seems impossible, but try your hardest to know that what you're seeing is your mind playing tricks on you. I'd say do research but that can be a scary thing, as people recall their experiences. I never noticed it being worse during drug use or getting off drugs, after all I wasn't on drugs at 7!
But it took me the better part of 15 years to master these scary wakeful sleeps. You can prepare yourself to remain calm. If you gain enough control you can calm yourself down during an episode. It may take some practice, but as aware as you may feel you are during one, turn that thought into a positive mantra. The panic/anxiety can scare you to the point where it takes longer to awaken. Be aware of your surroundings. Try some lavender spray on your bedding, definitely leave a nightlight on, and try to meditate or try a relaxation CD or something of the like before you sleep. If you can stretch before bed it may help relax you. All these things are ways for you to relax. I gained control of mine when I did things like this and stayed aware of things around me, like the smell of the lavender or the nightlight. Nothing can hurt you while you sleep, and the calmer you are (again it may take a couple times) then the faster you'll awaken. Also, when you do wake up from an episode, even if you're very tired, either turn the tv on to something happy, get a drink of water, or take some deep calming breaths, as I know how anxious it can make you feel.
One last thing is try and notice a pattern when this happens: are you watching something unpleasant before bed? Are you more stressed or anxious about something inparticular? Are you sleeping on your back when this happens? (that was a big trigger for me) Are you exhausted? (that too can contribute) Try and notice a pattern so you can do everything in your power to change it.
Hope this helps. You are not alone in this. Take care and I hope you can get rest!!
Im so sorry you are dealing with this. I get this frequently and have had it since I was a child. Its worse than a nightmare, I know. It's so very scary that you think it will happen to you every time you sleep. I know it seems impossible, but try your hardest to know that what you're seeing is your mind playing tricks on you. I'd say do research but that can be a scary thing, as people recall their experiences. I never noticed it being worse during drug use or getting off drugs, after all I wasn't on drugs at 7!
But it took me the better part of 15 years to master these scary wakeful sleeps. You can prepare yourself to remain calm. If you gain enough control you can calm yourself down during an episode. It may take some practice, but as aware as you may feel you are during one, turn that thought into a positive mantra. The panic/anxiety can scare you to the point where it takes longer to awaken. Be aware of your surroundings. Try some lavender spray on your bedding, definitely leave a nightlight on, and try to meditate or try a relaxation CD or something of the like before you sleep. If you can stretch before bed it may help relax you. All these things are ways for you to relax. I gained control of mine when I did things like this and stayed aware of things around me, like the smell of the lavender or the nightlight. Nothing can hurt you while you sleep, and the calmer you are (again it may take a couple times) then the faster you'll awaken. Also, when you do wake up from an episode, even if you're very tired, either turn the tv on to something happy, get a drink of water, or take some deep calming breaths, as I know how anxious it can make you feel.
One last thing is try and notice a pattern when this happens: are you watching something unpleasant before bed? Are you more stressed or anxious about something inparticular? Are you sleeping on your back when this happens? (that was a big trigger for me) Are you exhausted? (that too can contribute) Try and notice a pattern so you can do everything in your power to change it.
Hope this helps. You are not alone in this. Take care and I hope you can get rest!!
I don't post much but I wanted you to know I had this experience 2 or 3 times many years ago. Maybe like 15 years ago, but it was so scary and intense I have never forgotten it.
I was like awake and my body could not move but I sensed VERY STRONGLY that I was leaving my body thru my legs down thru my feet. I was moving around my room, almost snake like. I could see all over the place and had no real control over where I moved too. I also became dizzy with all the lack of perspective in my vision.
I physically hurt as I felt myself rushing back into my body and was eventually able to move. I was scared to death and don't remember telling people as it was so crazy. It did happen more than once but not in years.
I remember hearing about sleep paralysis and just assumed that must be what I experienced.
I was like awake and my body could not move but I sensed VERY STRONGLY that I was leaving my body thru my legs down thru my feet. I was moving around my room, almost snake like. I could see all over the place and had no real control over where I moved too. I also became dizzy with all the lack of perspective in my vision.
I physically hurt as I felt myself rushing back into my body and was eventually able to move. I was scared to death and don't remember telling people as it was so crazy. It did happen more than once but not in years.
I remember hearing about sleep paralysis and just assumed that must be what I experienced.
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