Sleep Paralysis

[Blue_Dog84]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, as it's actually a fairly common experience, from what I've read. If this isn't the right place to post this, I apologize. Be kind to me; I'm new around here! I seme to have some sort of problem with sleep paralysis - it happens to me somewhat frequently. I remember reading somewhere that most people experience it at least once in their lifetime, but I've experienced it something on the order of six different times. What seems to increase my chance of sleep paralysis is: sleeping on my back (I usually sleep on my right side) and napping (that is, it seems to occur more often during naps). I will awaken from sleep slightly and find that I cannot move at all. It's a frightening experience and I'm always scared that the paralysis is permanent. What enhances the fear is that I often hear my Dad (or someone else) walking into my room. I'm afraid that they'll try to wake me up, find that I can't be roused, and freak out. I always try to move my arms and head, thinking that by continuing to work my muscles, they will become "unstuck". Sometimes I can wake myself up this way (always feeling groggy and very tired). Other times, it doesn't work. So I decide to fall back asleep and hope that when I wake up the next time, I'll be able to move. Is this normal? Is there something wrong with me? And is there some way to prevent sleep paralysis or to minimize its effects (that is, break the paralysis earlier)? Thanks! Blue

[dreamscaper22]

i have had it happen to me once....i turned off the tv and layed there and i didnt know i went to sleep but i could still see everything around me....i couldnt move no matter how hard i tried

[Sandform]

I have had SP problems for a long while. By now I have stoped disliking it, and actually, I like it (because it means i'm really close to sleep haha!) lol. I used to get afraid that something would cut the tendons of my feet...I know irrational fear right? But anyway before I started liking it I found one method that was always able to wake up up in just a matter of seconds. I'm not sure why, but my neck still works when i'm asleep...well sortof. Anyway, I jerk my head to my left continueously untill i'm awake. I dunno if everyone can do that though, I might be a freak. Once I stopped being afraid of it, I pretty much stopped having it. Although, I have had more dreams where there isn't anything just darkness. Hmm, maybe what I thought was a dream was really just SP with my eyes closed? I guess normally you are so freaked out your eyes open, and since i'm not afraid, I don't close them.

[Blue_Dog84]

Hi, Dreamscaper22! You could see everything around you? That's interesting. I don't think I see anything but blackness. Blue

[Blue_Dog84]

Hi, Sandform! Your experiences sound like mine. I'll try to move my arms or my head until it jolts me awake. It's hard to do and when I finally do wake up, I feel groggy and unwell. Don't worry about irrational fears. I invariably worry that my Dad's going to try to wake me up, find that I can't move, and then think I'm in a coma or something. You're only partially awake when you're paralyzed, so your thinking mind isn't really in operation. I'm just glad to see that I'm not the only one who frequently experiences SP. Blue

[Mitsus]

I get them often. I can even induce them within 10 minutes in mid day. I do not feel any weight or an evil presence. I get kinda scared at first and I move my head side to side, and that wakes me up after a couple of seconds. If I stop, I will be pulled into a lucid dream. Either way I'm happy, but being pulled in isn't the funnest experience. Atleast it feels like I move my head, I doubt I'm actually moving it. I heard that when in SP you can't actually see. You just think you can. Can anyone confirm this?