Paralysis/Lethargy during Lucid Dreaming

[michelled]

Hi, I have been experiencing Lucid dreams since I was about 11 or 12 years old. The scenario usually centers around me in my bed and me being aware that there is someone either coming into or already inside my house (an unwelcomed presence). When they first started it was to the point where I was paralyzed and would not be able to breathe. I would only come to when I finally jerked my body in a violent manner (it was an exhausting experience). When I would attempt to scream, my words sounded jarbled and weak. As they progressed I began to be able to move some parts of my body. But my body felt like Jelly. I still wasn't able to walk around, and that fear of someone being inside my house (even sometimes laying directly on top of me) was still present. Then my lucid dreams began to take a turn in a pretty weird direction. About 2 years ago, I was babysitting my little cousin when I had a lucid dream. I was able to move around physically in this dream with little to no lethargy present. There was a man standing in my doorway and the more I attempted to push him the stiffer he would stand. There came a point where I began to force myself to wake up, but when I did and I thought that I was awake, the moment I rested my head I woke up again. This happened 2 more times before I actually woke up. The same dreams have continued to happen. Only this time the heavy lethargy has become more present in my dreams (this happened only after the babysitting incident. I was under the impression that the paralysis/lethargy was gone). My most recent lucid dream was last night. I "woke" up with a fear that someone was about to open the door to my dorm room and I actually felt my pulse speed up. However, I was only able to move my arm when I used my other arm to lift it up. I attempted to go and get help from my roommate. I eventually got my body off of my bed and walked to my door to open it (In my dream though I felt like there was still that presence like someone was about to attack me). I tried calling out to one of my suitemates for help but was met with the same jarbled voice and slurring of my words. I began to panic and then I started to attempt to bang my head against the door to wake up. When I next opened my eyes, I was back in my bed. I thought it was over, but when I tried to sit up but realized that I was still in my dream. This happened one more time before I finally came to and was able to move around again. I barely learned that people actually try and induce these lucid dreams. I've never had to try to induce them at all. In all actuality, they frighten me because they happen so often (1 about every 2 or 3 months) and without even me having to do anything to cause them to happen. I don't know how to approach them or control them because they happen without me even having to will it to happen. A little guidance in how to deal with this will go a long way.