Sleep Paralysis?

[Syrena]

I saw the term "sleep paralysis" in the description of things to discuss in this forum, and it caught my attention because my sister has been suffering with sleep paralysis since she was a teen. She says, when it happens, she can hear people in the house going about their business but cannot move or wake up. Sometimes, she has a sense of being between worlds, but most times, she feeld she can't move, but is aware of her conscious mind. She can hear her own mind wishing someone would come over and awaken her, and she is aware of her fiance or children sleeping near her, but can't call out for their help.

She has been known to have very powerful Psychic dreams at times, including visiting Beings on the other side, but the sleep paralysis is a very different experience and frightens her a great deal. She only had one experience where she felt that there was a 'thing' on her chest that wouldn't let her up. Most of the time, it is just 'paralysis'.

Any explanations of this phenomenon would be appreciated. She wishes she could stop being afraid of it any more, and it might help if she knows what is going on.

Appreciation!
Syrena

[piglet]

I have experienced sleep paralysis once in a while for the past 11 years or so. I would also like to hear from anyone who knows what the possible causes of it are!

The main thing that I can suggest (which helped me) was to accept the fact that you are dreaming and not awake. This is really hard to do! It's a scary experience and you can't move or wake up, you feel trapped.

Sleep paralysis can, however, be a blessing. Seriously! :) It is an indicator that you are sleeping, and that is all the mind needs to be able to transform a dream into a lucid dream. I would suggest to your sister to use it as an opportunity. If she is conscious of the fact that she is asleep and not awake (this can be hard, too), then she can take control over the dream and free herself and start moving around within the dream.

[Janelle]

The main thing that I can suggest (which helped me) was to accept the fact that you are dreaming and not awake. This is really hard to do! It's a scary experience and you can't move or wake up, you feel trapped.

Sleep paralysis can, however, be a blessing. Seriously! :) It is an indicator that you are sleeping, and that is all the mind needs to be able to transform a dream into a lucid dream. I would suggest to your sister to use it as an opportunity. If she is conscious of the fact that she is asleep and not awake (this can be hard, too), then she can take control over the dream and free herself and start moving around within the dream.

There have been some threads on this is the past which might provide some information and advice to pass along to your sister. Try a "search" for it. I'd post some links, but I'm not that talented!

They say sleep paralysis happens between REM sleep (dream state) and when you actually wake up. When you are in REM, your body is paralyzed so you don't act out your dreams and actually punch your sleeping partner in the head - or inflicting any other harm on yourself or anyone else. I think paralysis happens when your brain wakes up, but forgets to tell your body it's free to go. So you just lay there not being able to move a thing and hope someone will bump you so you can snap out of it. Sometimes I feel smothered, sometimes panicked, sometimes I hallucinate, and the episodes are very exhausting. I've even had several episodes happen in a period of sleep. It's more likely to happen when you are stressed, sleep deprived, and when you are lying on your back.

Now that I know what it is, I can usually talk my mind into going back to sleep when it happens. Since your sister has had psychic dream experience in the past, she might have success at taking it to another level and going into a lucid dream/astral travel type state like Piglet mentioned. I've never done this.

I wish her luck in overcoming her fear. I personally wouldn't mind if I NEVER have an episode again!

[Syrena]

Thank you! I have forwarded your replies on to my sister.

Bright Blessings!
Syrena

[Janus109]

I use to have this happen a lot as a child. These experiences were very scary because I wasn't in control of my body. This was a difficult time for me as a teenager because my folks were very religious ( charismatic christian ), i.e a belief in the devil was very pronounced in the faith.

At one point these experiences became increasingly frequent. Maybe, once a month. And it didn't help thinking that the devil might be doing it to me. That's just the way I was raised.

I use to stay up late at night because I didn't want to sleep in the dark. It was during this time that I was watching the Dick Cavett Show on television. I cannot remember the guest's name but it was a lady speaking with the host about the paranormal- she might have been an author or a psychic or something. Oh, yes.. it was some sort of panel about the supernatual with 3 or 4 guests.

And the subject of "night terrors" came up.. the lady guest ( I'am sorry I don't remember her name- I was about 13 & it was sometime back in the 70's). She stated something that really helped me a LOT..that is when it happens again, DON'T FIGHT IT!
Just relax and go with the flow. That was the problem for me..fighting it & trying to wake up.

The next time it happened.. I reminded myself not to fight it. I remember hearing "knocks" at the back of my bedroom door( the appearant nightmare), so instead of fighting and trying to wake up.. I just relaxed. Two things happened at once..first the knocks quit & second, I started to rise up in the bed i.e my body felt like it was "floating" to the celing. I could see that I was getting closer to the celing and you know what...
I wasn't scare. I've had several other experiences like that as a teenager.

Now, as an adult.. I rarely have these experiences.

I am convinced that in my experience..this has something to do with out-of-body travel. I can't prove it. I don't understand it. :noway:

[Eilonwy]

I have this happen often. It took me a long time to figure out what it was. I used to think I was being possesed or it was aliens or who knows what. I was terrifed of it. I have to say that when I finally learned that there was a scientific explaination I was somewhat relieved, but it still scares me when it happens. I don't like not being in control of my body. I do find that it happens most often when I am very stressed or lying on my back. I try to never fall asleep on my back.

[Iris]

I've experienced this since I was a kid. Strangely, so have other members of my family. Although I never experienced the kind of hallucinations with it that most people do. I just can't move. But believe me, that's sacry enough. Even when you KNOW what it is, and know there's a logical explanation for it, it is still very scary to be aware of what's going on around you but unable to move your limbs.

[ealawyn]

Wow, I just thought I was crazy. I've had it happen a few times, but for me I get the feeling of suffocation or electric shock to go with it. Now can someone tell me wtf that means.
:huh:

[ealawyn]

Never mind, I just answered my own question.............

Great site: http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/S_P.html

It's from the University of Waterloo.


,

[rottencandy7]

I saw the term "sleep paralysis" in the description of things to discuss in this forum, and it caught my attention because my sister has been suffering with sleep paralysis since she was a teen. She says, when it happens, she can hear people in the house going about their business but cannot move or wake up. Sometimes, she has a sense of being between worlds, but most times, she feeld she can't move, but is aware of her conscious mind. She can hear her own mind wishing someone would come over and awaken her, and she is aware of her fiance or children sleeping near her, but can't call out for their help.

She has been known to have very powerful Psychic dreams at times, including visiting Beings on the other side, but the sleep paralysis is a very different experience and frightens her a great deal. She only had one experience where she felt that there was a 'thing' on her chest that wouldn't let her up. Most of the time, it is just 'paralysis'.

Any explanations of this phenomenon would be appreciated. She wishes she could stop being afraid of it any more, and it might help if she knows what is going on.

Appreciation!
Syrena

I've experienced that a few times. One time I saw a female figured kneeling near me saying "Help me, Candace. Help me!" I could not move or even breathe. Later on that day, while my grandmother was still alive but suffering, my mom told me that my grandma was saying "Help me! Help me!" in her sleep. The only thing that really scared me about it was the fact that I felt like I couldn't breathe.

[Mysteriouss_Destinee]

:crazyman: I don't know if i've experienced this.. but i can explain what i mean by that. When i was younger I was mis diagnoised with A.D.D. *hehe* I was put on different Speed like meds (riddlen sp?, others i can't spell cause i'll butcher them) but after a certain hour 5ish pm if i took them i'd see things at night. One time i couldn't move (maybe fear) But i saw aliens around me two on either side. I don't know maybe it was a drug interaction. *shurg* What do you think?

(rotfl at the age of 16 i figured out i didn't have add but depression and stoped taking meds I didn't need. ) :falloffch

Much Love, Mysteriouss_Destinee :

[Fiona Bluedeer]

I've been experiencing sleep paralysis off-and-on for the past 4 or 5 years. I'm not sure what started triggering it, but it's pretty scary when it happens. It usually only happens to me once every couple of months, although there have been a few times when it's happened more than once in a week.

When it happens to me, I can see everything around me, but I can't move and can't breathe. The harder I try to take a breath, the more it feels like I'm smothering. I've never had any kind of visions, hallucinations, etc., but occasionally a sinking feeling (like being forcibly pushed down into the mattress or cushion) will accompany the smothering feeling.

I've read that it's best to try relaxing and just going with it, but that's easier said than done. When you feel like you can't breathe and are smothering or "drowning," panic automatically sets in. The most recent time this happened to me, I did manage to tell myself to stay calm, and it was a lot less severe. Also, like Janelle mentioned, these "episodes" are very exhausting.

In any case, sleep paralysis sucks. I don't know why this only started happening to me within the past few years, but I wish it would stop.

[Syrena]

I am grateful for all of your sharing your experiences. It is very helpful, and my sister said that she finds comfort knowing she isn't the only one who experiences this. Up til now, she didn't know that many people experienced this. Many good hints in this thread, as well, that may help to make this easier for her. In much gratitude!

Blessed Be!
Syrena

[Janelle]

In any case, sleep paralysis sucks. I don't know why this only started happening to me within the past few years, but I wish it would stop.
Fiona - I read that sleep paralysis usually goes away after 30 (saw your age in your profile). I turn 30 this year - I hope it's true!

[Syrena]

Hi Janelle,

Where did you get that info? My sister is 35, and it still happens.

Syrena

[Janelle]

Where did you get that info? My sister is 35, and it still happens.

Crap, I misread it. The info I read actually states "The results do suggest, however, that sleep paralysis episodes can begin at virtually any age, although it is rare for this to happen after 30." http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/S_P2.html

I guess it's not stating they are rare to happen after 30, just that it's rare to "start" having them after your 30. So much for that glimmer of hope. Sorry for spreading misinformation!!

[Syrena]

Please don't apologize! Thank you for the info and link.

Blessings!
Syrena

[Pandoras]

I've experienced it a few times and my sister used to experience it a lot. The first time I experienced sleep paralysis, it seemed like there was a presence in the room and I felt increasing pressure on my chest (I was laying on my back). I tried hard to open my eyes and move, but could not. It's very unpleasant. I immediately jumped on the research train when it first happened to me.

It's a bit complicated, but basically normal sleep paralysis is thought to be necessary to prevent the body from movements caused by dreams. Eyes however are not paralyzed by this system. Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain is awakened from a REM state into essentially a normal fully awake state, but with the bodily paralysis still occurring. This causes the person to be fully aware, but unable to move.

In addition, this state is usually accompanied by certain specific kinds of hallucinations - sensing a "presence" (often malevolent), pressure/weight on body (especially the chest), impending sense of doom/death, auditory hallucinations (hearing footsteps, voices, etc.), visual hallucinations (seeing people, shadows, etc.), floating sensations, being pulled by the feet, falling sensations.

This state usually lasts no more than two minutes before a person is able to either return to full REM sleep or to become fully awake, though the sense of how much time has gone by is often distorted during sleep paralysis.

Not much is known about what causes sleep paralysis, but I've read that some scientists believe that it's more common among people who sleep on their backs. Personally, I think this is true. I like to lie on my back, but when I feel myself drift into sleep, I turn. Over the years, I've learned to control my sleep and dreams so I've not experienced sleep paralysis in years.

I've also read that sleep paralysis may have given rise to the belief in incubi and succubi. The combination of paralysis and hallucinations has also led to speculation that the phenomenon might be a cause of some alien abduction reports, out-of-body experiences, and other seemingly paranormal events.

[Teresa]

It can still occur after 30.One good thing to get in a habit of doing is sleeping on your sides instead of back or stomach.It seems to help reduce the occurances for me at least.

[Syrena]

Wow, I just never realized how many people get sleep paralysis! Thank you all for the great information. My sister read the replies. She is in her mid thirties and still gets it. Also has gotten it while sleeping on her side, but more when on her back.

Blessed Be!
Syrena

[Lacuna]

I am 24, and have had them on and off since childhood. They are completely terrifying. When I was younger it would usually happen when I was laying on my stomach, now it usually happens when lyign on my back. I haven't experienced it in almost a year though, but it may be because after researching I learned the connection with lucid dreaming and I learned to have more control over my dream state. It is nice to hear from so many people who have experienced this - most people think I am just imagining the terror and can just not understand.

[Teresa]

I am 24, and have had them on and off since childhood. They are completely terrifying. When I was younger it would usually happen when I was laying on my stomach, now it usually happens when lyign on my back. I haven't experienced it in almost a year though, but it may be because after researching I learned the connection with lucid dreaming and I learned to have more control over my dream state. It is nice to hear from so many people who have experienced this - most people think I am just imagining the terror and can just not understand.
You are not alone.I had this happen from an early age and actually scared my grandparents who finally started to check on me during my sleep periods. Being in control in Your dream state does make it occur less often .I am approaching 41 and have it still happen from time to time but nothing like when I was very young.

[lovemy1dane]

I have had it for years. It can be very scary. I am told it is caused by not being in REM sleep properly. I found that if I doze off on the couch and wake up and go straight to bed then it happens. I can feel it starting and cannot stop it until it plays itself out. Even if I get up as soon as I feel it or start hearing the "roaring" sound that signals it is starting for me, then when I do go back to bed it will happen anyway. Sometimes it will happen several times in a row and I will know how many more times it will happen. I have astral projected once during an episode but cannot relax enough during it to do it again. I wish I could though, that was really cool.

[SilverGhost]

:woah: I have just recently begun to have these terrifying experiences (I'm fifteen now). In fact my first one took place just a few weeks before. It began when I woke up and found I couldn't move although I could see everything around me clearly and I knew I was 'awake'. I tried to wake up my sister (who was sleeping beside me) but I couldn't speak and so I started to panic. I felt 'vibrations' of a sort running through my body and I could sense a sort of shadow figure beside my bed (note that I have sensed this presence before I started having sleep paralysis, it usually appears late at night when everyone but me is asleep, sometimes I can see it, sometimes I can't). I also felt the sense of being watched and helpless as I was, I was completely terrified! Funnily enough, I didn't feel smothered or breathless that first time, just scared and helpless. It felt like it lasted for a long time although I've heard that they only last for a few minutes. After this first one, I've kept having them way too frequently, my most recent one taking place last night. Sometimes I have felt smothered, at other times I have felt like heavy rocks are falling on top of me. On several occasions I have even heard an adult male voice I don't recognize whisper my name in my left ear (last night being an example). I am so freaked right now and I find going to sleep is increasingly difficult as I'm so afraid of having these experiences again. I do feel better knowing I'm not the only one having these and that there is an explanation as I've tried talking to my parents but they just laugh it off as a dream and warn me not to get "too out of touch with reality". <Sigh> I have now had a total of seven of these experiences.
*~Blessed Be~*

[LadyTrinity]

I have it 4 out of 7 nights a week. I dont know what it is. It's so scary because I try and try to get up and I try to force my self to move my arm. I must be pushing 100 lbs trying to force my self to move and after what seems like 30 sec.. I can move and Im freaking out :confused:

[Moonlight's Daughter]

Please all read Sylvia Browne's book on dreams. it explains it really well. Its not actually paralyis, its actually you coming back into your body after astral travel ( or close to it) I have the book at home and will post the exact wordage ( is that a word? lol) but its something close to that, and she goes into detail on how to make it less scary I beleive

Brandiwyn

[Dianysus]

I was terrified by spontaneous astral projection during sleep. It usually occurred when I was very tired yet wired, if you know what I mean. I couldn't move or speak and I was out of my body lying on the floor next to my bed each time. I could see that I was on my floor but knew that I (my body) was exactually in my bed. I had a heavy pressing down feeling along with the sence of a very malicious presence. Thank God, I never saw it. I was about 15 when it started happening. My parents took me to a minister who dealt with spirits and possessions. I laughed in his face when he was doing his ritual. I couldn't help myself. I was told that I had an evil spirit and that I should listen to praise music every night because the devils hate praise music. I know this is stupid. I'm now 35 and the episodes continued along with lucid dreams untill I was about 24. This all happened to me before we had the internet. I thought I really was possessed because I had began my wiccan path about the same time. I now know that this phenomenon has occurred in every culture of the world throughout history. Witches were called hedge riders because they traveled between the worlds or astral planes. The occurance was also blamed on the "old Hag" who would rides the backs of her prey. Folk lure holds that sleeping with a fork under your pillow will prevent it. Also farmers would hang round stones with a hole in the middle in thier horses stalls to keep the old hag from riding the backs of the horses and wearing them out.
I know this was alot of info. but at least you can see that your sister is not alone. Although very scary nobody has ever died from it and someday science will probably come up with the answer to this problem. We still only use a small percent of our brains actual ability. It would be interesting to know if creative ability and aptitude predisposes certain individuals to this occurance. We need to talk more about this and can now because of the internet. In the past people kept these things to themselves for fear of being labled crazy or a witch, that could get you dunked in water or blood letted untill the devils came out or burned at the stake.