Sleep Paralysis

Deja vu... thought I'd seen this thread before ;)

No paralysis here, but I do get sleep-onset apnea. Where you stop breathing as you're nodding off, then a little later wake up with a jolt gasping for air.

Sleep paralysis doesn't sound like fun either.
 
I haven't had this for a while but used to get it very regularly. Sometimes multiple times in one night. Worst thing is when you get one where you are hallucinating as well due to your brain still dreaming whilst you are awake and aware but unable to move. Usually I just hear people trying to talk to me but sometimes its visual too. Once there was a cat reading a book next to me in bed.

When it happens, I focus on my breathing as its the only thing I have control over. Once I'm taking slow, deep breaths I try to clench my fists or move my arms with all my might, like my life depends on it.
 
Get it once or twice a month, doesn't last too long and I've learn't to deal with it. Was very scary when I was younger and first few times I experienced it.
 
I had it a few weeks ago. Woke up, could see a dark figure standing still in the corner and couldn't move. I managed to wake my wife up by trying to call her name in a garbled manner, then she woke me up. Terrifying tbh.
 
There was a period about a year ago where I was reading heavily into Lucid dreaming and at one point really wanted to start trying to do it, only thing that put me off it was the chance of sleep paralysis, so fearful of that happening to me. I can barely watch horror films/games letalone having hallucinogenic experiences of the same kind. Obviously they aren't all the same though, but having that fear that could potentially happen to me, I gave it a miss. I think I'd legitimately have a heart attack, especially since you're so powerless when this happens. Not sure how long they last though..
 
Deehjay said:
There was a period about a year ago where I was reading heavily into Lucid dreaming and at one point really wanted to start trying to do it, only thing that put me off it was the chance of sleep paralysis, so fearful of that happening to me. I can barely watch horror films/games letalone having hallucinogenic experiences of the same kind. Obviously they aren't all the same though, but having that fear that could potentially happen to me, I gave it a miss. I think I'd legitimately have a heart attack, especially since you're so powerless when this happens. Not sure how long they last though..
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I taught myself to lucid dream, I realise I'm asleep probably 50% of the time, it's a habit to just look at my hands now and think, and I do it in my dreams and realize I'm sleeping, and then I imagine myself being in that white room in the matrix.

I've never had sleep paralysis though.
I have insomnia so when I do manage to actually sleep I can snap awake pretty easily.

Or sometimes my alarm will go off and I genuinely don't know if i have been asleep that night.

Sleep isnt something I can do properly, should probably see someone about it :o
 
Isn't it what you try to do when becoming lucid. Why is it scary, just shut your eyes and surely you can dream whatever you want as you are still conscious?
 
What do you shout? "HELP HELP"? I'm just imagining the scenario and it sounds hilarious

P.s those dark figures are often referred to as 'Shadow People' for anyone interested in researching..
 
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dacads said:
What do you shout? "HELP HELP"? I'm just imagining the scenario and it sounds hilarious
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I tried to scream but I was too scared. It felt like I suddenly woke up and was completely paralyzed, not even able to speak. I then remember darting upright in bed screaming and it was like someone had poured a bucket of water over me. It was sweat

My heart was also racing. I guess I unknowingly increased my heart rate until I could wake up, it felt like it was over 200bpm

Sort of combined night terrors with sleep paralysis. That taught me for hitting 6 big nights in a row in Ibiza... it was still worth it :rolleyes:

I also had a dream where I was sat up in bed looking out the window and everything was in ruins on fire. Like post war-zone or war of the worlds. I then woke up from the dream and was sat up in bed looking out the window (actually at the curtains as they were closed)
 
mufc802 said:
Isn't it what you try to do when becoming lucid. Why is it scary, just shut your eyes and surely you can dream whatever you want as you are still conscious?
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No, this is totally different from lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming, your still dreaming, you just realise your dreaming. Sleep paralysis is when your body is paralysed(natural part of rem sleep), but your mind wakes up,
It's scary as you are awake, but unable to move. Can't scream can't do anything.
After the first time or two you realise what it is and it's not that scary. Apart from last night where I couldn't breath as head down on the pillow, bad timing.

You can also experience hallucinations. Which can very from benign to terrifying.
Had massive flaming Satan in the room, alien doctors injecting my stomach, room full of snakes amongst others.

The most common feeling with sleep paralysis is just a weight on your chest and a feeling of an evil presence. Making it feel like you're being pinned down by a witch, evil spirit etc.

dacads said:
What do you shout? "HELP HELP"? I'm just imagining the scenario and it sounds hilarious

P.s those dark figures are often referred to as 'Shadow People' for anyone interested in researching..
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You can't scream. Which is one of many reasons it's scary the first few times, until you are able to remember what is happening.
 
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