Reoccuring paralysis... just a dream?

[simm]

I've had this recurring dream since I was about 7 it was about me being paralyzed and staring up at the ceiling at my light which was sort of pulsing and talking, although I can't understand it. I can't turn my focus away and I can't speak, the dream can last for ages and freaks me out. Sometimes it is triggered by an unrelated dream, though I now realise it's a dream I hold my breath to remove myself from it. It sounds alittle like that sleep paralysis thing (or at least the initial one may have been), though the repetitive nature could suggest it is an actual dream. I also have had dreams that have had me staring at the wall near the bed, or across the room, and I'm unable to move and all that. I cannot release myself unless I hold my breath again. My eyes do seem to be open (but whether they really are is a mystery). Most of this seems to happen closer to dawn.

[mentalenforcer]

It does sound like sleep paralysis. I've found that when I awake from SP my eyes are already open and looking at the same thing. So I think during SP my eyes are really open and looking around the room.

[MJMax]

I think it could very well be a dream. I've had similar things happen.

[Conkt]

This sounds like a state between dreaming and wakefulness. You're still asleep, but your senses are awake enough to feel the paralysis that is always present during sleep. The only solution I can think of is to rub your hands together. That may be hard, though, if you are paralyzed. Hmmm... The purpose of rubbing your hands together is to get your mind to forget real senses and focus on dream senses. If you expect a fan to be blowing over you, or an open window reveals a breeze, you may be stimulated enough to forget real life and take control of your dream body. Just an idea.

[TurtleLG]

what position are you in when you release yourself? where are you staring?

[Squire]

I can relate. One time I had a dream that I couldn't move at all and I was just staring off the edge of my bed with my head where my feet normally go. I tried yelling for help but nothing would come out of my mouth, I tried moving up couldn't. Afterward I woke up in the same position. I was real freaked out But I've heard of people having the same dream all the time, so its probably just a dream.

[simm]

what position are you in when you release yourself? where are you staring? I would fall asleep again a wake up in exactly the same position. Usually I would hold my breath to release myself from a dream, but I don't think that worked... I suppose I can just wait until it happens again and record it in detail in the dream journal I just downloaded. And now I know that if it is paralysis, not to be scared, than maybe I will be able to make more sense of it. Thanks so much for your input.