Since I was young I suffered from a sleeping order I didn’t know existed. It wasn’t until I was out of high school that I happened upon it when in the library one day. I can’t remember if I was looking for it or if I just found it. All I know is when I read it my jaw just dropped. I couldn’t believe that what I thought was just nightmares all my life had a name.
Sleep Paralysis (source: wikipedia)
Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to REM atonia, the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM 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.The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, “by which the individual may experience panic symptoms”.
In addition, the paralysis may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations and an acute sense of danger.Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations.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 alien abductions and ghostly encounters.
Sounds freaky doesn’t it? It was even more concerning to me when I didn’t know what it was. I seem to have more episodes when I was younger and when there are stressful events in my life. What usually happens to me is that I become conscious yet I can not move. It is often, late it states above, followed with panic and the feeling that someone has entered my room. When this is going on I’m doing all that I can to scream or move but it is useless. It is as if I can actually see a figure approaching.
Now that I know what it is I’ve learned how to handle it. When this does happen to me the first thing I have to do is calm myself down. I then take all the energy I can muster to move my pinky. Yes just my pinky and the energy I need is like trying to move something that is way to heavy for you to move alone. I spend the seconds and minutes, I really have no idea how long it takes it just seems like forever, willing my finger to move. Usually once I can get a body part to move I it is a domino effect and I begin to become fully awake. Once I wake up I usually get out of bed and move around to make sure I am awake and not dreaming. Also I need to do this because after all that effort if I don’t wake up fully I can fall right back into the sleep paralysis and I usually have little energy left to deal with it.
I also found through the years a person here or there that has experienced the same thing. It really helps to know that this is a condition and I am not alone. Do you suffer from any sleeping disorders or odd conditions that many people have not heard of?
Teressa Morris says
I have a similar problem to yours. I sometimes get the sleep paralysis, but usually just the hypnogagia, mostly during times of stress. Going through a lot of stress right now. Yesterday, woke up from a nap and laid there for a few minutes trying to wake up fully when I heard my husband and son start a yelling match. My son was cursing at my husband and it was getting really loud. I jumped out of bed, threw on my jeans and ran into the front room, only to see my husband sitting calmly at his computer and my son nowhere to be seen. I lost it when I realized the argument never happened. Figured out later that through the open bedroom window I could hear my neighbor talking to his dog and somehow my brain translated that into something horrible. My understanding is that when you’re in a hypnogagic or hypnopompic state you are awake, but your logic center has not turned on yet so normal things don’t make sense.
Colleen says
I think I’ve experienced that before when I’ve been napping that something is going on only to wake and find it quite. I’m thankful that this doesn’t happen as much as it did when I was young, but it is good to know it has a name.
Melanie Morin says
I had 2 episodes of sleep paralysis in my life and found an article about it only a couple months ago that explained it. Until then I had no idea what it was and I felt like a crazy person trying to explain to my family what happened to me. It happened once to me when I was about 13 or 14 years old. I remember “waking up” but couldn’t move at all and I saw a greenish woman silhouette floating in the air and it wanted to hurt me, so I panicked but still couldn’t move. The other time it happened was last year, I “woke up” and saw a man’s silhouette in the corner of my bedroom holding a knife and I started panicking like OMG he’s going to kill me I have to scream and run away! But couldn’t do anything about it. It’s hard to understand for someone who’s never been through this, the intense feeling of panick and thinking that you are litterally going to die in that moment, and then nothing happens, you wake up and know it was all hallucinations. I know what to do next time it happens to me, but I hope it won’t happen again.
Colleen says
What I find so strange is the images and how they are always about “danger” in some shape or form. That is very eery. I agree it is hard to explain to people without them looking at you like you have two heads.
Sandi Hall says
I can’t believe it! It is all real! I am in my 50’s and have been doing this all my life! I’ve just been thinking I was having very vivid dreams, but as I wake up I can’t move, and I concentrate real hard to just move my toe- now I know it’s a real thing! One time I woke up staring at the ceiling, and saw swirling things floating around, like spirits- I was scared! I now can get a better handle on this- Thank you!
Colleen says
I’m so glad I could help. I was in my late 20’s when I finally put a name to the disorder and really knew it existed, before that I had a really hard time dealing with it. However knowing that other people experience and I’m not just imagining it makes it easier some how.
lesa says
I have had this problem since I was a child. It is worse when I am stressed, but I have had some really terrifying episodes. It is scary.
Colleen says
It is extremely scary and so hard for anyone to understand that has not deal with it.
Alisa Heath says
I am always looking for anything about sleep disorders. I have 3 boys that DO NOT SLEEP! I am always awake. I have tryed everything, meds, music, reading, baths, EVERYTHING. I got doctors to help out and they have told me that they have PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder), and vivid nighmares. And they have mentioned this. No one has helped Im all on my own. I have done very well but it is so hard night after night watching them cry in pain. Not getting sleep affects everything, they dont eat well, my middle child has problems with his fear, my oldest is emotional and that affectics everything. they get sick easy. I cant work because someone has to be awake with them. I dont know what is really wrong and how to really help them. They dont know much because its not something they see in kids often and they dont know how to help. they try things and thats all we can really do. Dont know if this makes much sense, but its all a long hard story to tell.
Colleen says
I can only imagine how tough it is for you as a mother to watch your children go through that and not know what to do. I am so terribly sorry and I with the doctors not being able to help you that has to be beyond frustrating. How old are your boys?
Alisa Heath says
it is, but it is also just a part of our way of life. im just always looking out for anything i can find. I want them to get better and have a better way of life. we will get there! they are 7, 3 and 1
Dr. Paralysis says
Most people hallucinate demons.. how come no one hallucinates… leprechauns, unicorns, santa clause or any other fictional entities? Does this imply that Demons are real? Join the discussion at Facebook.com/SleepParalysis
Toqua's Crafts says
I have never experienced something like this. I am VERY HAPPY that you found out what the problem was. I can only imagine how difficult, frightening, and frustrating it is to go through this.
Tonya H says
HMMM…interesting! There are times where it seems I am conscious in my dreams. I can think and almost react to what I am doing, but in a way I know that I am asleep. I also have problems of sometimes when I wake up my body will jerk.