I had just 'woke' from what must have been a relatively deep sleep, and the strangest thing happened. Well, at least I thought I was awake... except that I couldn't move any part of my body. It was like I was completely paralyzed, and it was really horrifying. Part of me was awake enough that I kept telling myself to try moving only my fingers or toes, but I couldn't. I could, however, think in a seemingly lucid manner. I began to suspect that I wasn't actually awake, and thought to investigate. I was looking at my room, and it just wasn't right. There were these strange wrought iron decorations hanging on the walls and an old fashioned looking light fixture - neither of which are actually part of my bedroom. Then things got really weird. (Mind you, that by this point I was feeling very afraid, and the paralysis had sort of incorporated itself into the dream as well because I couldn't seem to move in the dream part either.) It was when I began to communicate with a giant housefly that I knew with certainty that I was definately not awake. I know it sounds funny, but it wasn't. It felt real, even when I didn't believe it, and was one of the scariest things I have ever encountered. Oddly, this has happened to me at least twice before that I can remember... well, no giant fly last time, but the feeling that I was awake but couldn't move. This time it seemed to last several minutes before I was able to fully wake up and move my body. The other times, the dream part must have been more realistic, or had worn off or something, because this was the first time that I knew for sure that at least part of my brain was still sleeping. Very weird, I know.

I was just wondering if any of you have had this happen to you, or if you know anything about this?

I have had sleep paralysis on and off for the past 10 years. This generally involves me floating round the room or the bed moving. The first time it happened there was a bang, the window broke and this 'shape' came into the room and lifted the bed covers up and down. I tried to pull them back but I could not move. I tried to scream. I was awake - and terrified. From then on, it was a fairly frequent occurrence. It got so bad, I was frightened to go to bed and now I have chronic insomnia even though I have not had an attack for about two years. The last one started with voices as if people were in my room - every word was very loud and clear, and I tried to answer because my brain was working fine, but I could not open my mouth. But mostly it is a loud knocking or a doorbell ringing, followed by vibrations (which really scare me), shapes hovering, and the bed moving, or me flying round the room. However, I have learnt to deal with it all a little better, and wonder if that is why I have not had a bout of this recently. I found the Sleep Paralysis Information website a great help, especially the message board. Some useful advice, and it helps to read of others' experiences. Also, I have eventually tried to accept that nothing bad is going to happen to me, and to take on the advice to actually 'enjoy' the experience. I mean, who else gets to fly round their bedroom whilst apparently awake?

This happened to me too, it is scary, panic sets in after a while though i don't fly around the room or have visual hallucinations like others But at the end of it are the violent vibrations in the room (really my body) Trust me this isn't something you want.

In all likelyhood my body was asleep but my brain awake, same for other respondents except the lucid dream aspect manifested more so in their experience.

Maybe Satguru can shed some light...

I've had something similar happen to me twice and I was so happy I'd already read about it and knew what was going on. The first time I woke up and couldn't move and I just "knew" there was a dark, evil thing hanging over me on the left, just out of sight. I couldn't move my head to see it. It was impossible that it was there because the wall was directly to my left, but I could still "feel" it there. It's kind of like lucid dreaming, maybe.

What I've read is that, when you sleep, your brain puts out a chemical that keeps you from moving and sometimes the brain starts to wake up before it leaves your system. Sometimes you're still awake and dreaming, I guess. The second time it happened, I was ... "oh yeah" and went back to sleep. I would be really scared if the bed shook or I started floating, though. Eek

If I take Ambien, I feel like this before I even get to sleep. It's very disconcerting, if kind of fun. One time I thought I saw a wagon train passing my bed. So now I take smaller doses, if I need it.

Y

I've suffered from Sleep Paralysis off and on for the past 30 years. However, I didn't know the technical term for it until about 10 years ago.

It would always start by feeling as if the blankets were being thrown off of me and then an evil, unknown entity would grab me by the ankles and try to pull me out of bed. My eyes would be open and I could see about the room, but I couldn't move a muscle. I would try to scream and nothing would happen. I'd start to panic and felt as if I couldn't breathe. Then a tingling feeling would start at the top of my head and very quickly travel throughout my body which would then cement me even further to keep me from moving. I would tell myself "I'm going to count to three and then scream", but nothing would come out. Total panic. It was only when I would totally relax that I could break free.

When I was going through a bad period in my life (mainly a divorce) I found that these episodes would happen more frequently. I finally heard on a radio talk show one evening about sleep paralysis and a light bulb went off in my head that "ah-ha, that's what I must be suffering from". I then participated in a University study online and have since found that the less stress that I have in my life the less I am bothered by sleep paralysis. I haven't had an episode that I can remember in almost five years.

I remember seeing a thread on here once before about this and Satguru does indeed have more information and thoughts on this, because I remember telling him which study it was that I partcipated.

Edited to add: I went back through some old PM's and found that lilyalli and I talked about this before. Dr. J.A. Cheyne, University of Waterloo (you can find his site online) is who ran the study of which I was a part. I think he may still be taking information.

Wow, ClaraSue - what a terrible experience. I'm glad you're having less trouble with this now.

I heard about it as a possible explanation for reports of hauntings and alien abductions. I was very glad I had this weird interest in the paranormal because, when it happened to me, I was able to tell myself the black devil wasn't really there and it was over fairly easily. I'm so glad I didn't have such a distressing experience as some!!

Y

I had never heard of this before it happened to me. I told my Grandmother about it today and she said that this has happened to her also. I was happy to find out that I am not alone with this. For a minute there I was afraid I had lost my mind (fully this time ). From the sound of it, some of you have had it worse than me. I am sorry to hear that, it must have been very terrible for you.

I did find this tidbit in an article entitled "Old Hag Syndrome aka Sleep Paralysis":

"Research shows that SP (Sleep Paraylisis) is linked with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When in REM sleep you are usually dreaming, your body does not act out your dreams as you will hurt either yourself, or someone else, so evolution has worked its merry little way of getting your brain to switch off your muscles (so to speak) and relax you while dreaming, essentially paralyzing you to a degree.

The cause for a state of SP is when your mind wakes up, usually still in a semi-REM state, but your body is still relaxed and semi paralyzed, bringing on a the sometimes horrifying sensation of being paralyzed while still in a semi-dream state yet awake. The consequences of this state are usually nothing short of terrifying to individuals with their dreams suddenly becoming reality as they are trapped in an inbetween sate of consciousness. The usual result is panic to try to release oneself while sleep creeps around your brain like a slow fog trying to drag you back down to it's depths again... Yes, it does run in the family, if you have suffered an episode, chances are there's a member within your close family who has also experienced this."

Thanks, Roofoo, for the info. I've never heard it called "Old Hag Syndrome" - did the article say why?

Y

I just found this:

"The name of the phenomenon comes from the superstitious belief that a witch - or an old hag - sits or "rides" the chest of the victims, rendering them immobile."

This was interesting, too, and it may explain why I "saw" the giant fly, and maybe why I thought it was trying to communicate with me (as odd as it sounds, it seemed to be buzzing at me in a menacing way, but I felt that it was trying to tell me something)...?

"More commonly than the visual perceptions are the reports of audio hallucinations. These include scratching, laughing, scraping, buzzing, ringing, voices, radio music and other noises all seemingly very real. We now believe that many alien abduction cases have been merely suffering an episode of SP, let alone the amazing amount of cases reporting Evil presences and ghosts."

Thanks, lilyalli. I went on and took that survey. I's nice to be able to talk about this with someone who, not only doesn't think you are nuts, but actually understands.

Yes, it happened again, a few nights after my original post. This time it was quite different from the last. I didn't fell quite as paralyzed, somehow, but it felt like there was someone/something on my back holding me down. I am glad that I could not see who or what it was. Also this time, the dream part was more intense. I don't even want to talk about the dream itself, but I can say that it was very... super freaky! I'm starting to feel like I belong in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' ... 9-10 never sleep again.

I am wondering if any of you have any suggestions as to how to possibly avoid this? Have you noticed something that helps? Have you found that there is anything you can do, like, possibly before bed or something, that seems to help you sleep peacefully? I don't know what... a hot bath before bed, drinking tea or avoiding caffine or something? Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Don't fall asleep on your back as I believe most episodes start in this position. There have been times when I heard the noises and felt the vibrations start and have forcibly concentrated really hard to make myself turn over before it took control. It is quite hard to do, but if you are aware of what's happening it's sort of mind over matter. It doesn't work every time, but it's a useful tool, if you can get it to work! There are all the usual 'sleep hygiene' routines - warm bath, regular bedtime, avoid alcohol, caffeine, stress etc. but I did not find them much help.

lilyalli, it seems that you have had a lot of experience here. I'm sorry to hear that, this is pretty new for me, but I do know that it isn't much fun. (To put it lightly.) I sincerely thank you for taking time to talk with me about this. It helps.

My experiences also only happened on my back, avoiding this position maybe is the solution. Best of luck!

Most of my occurrences have been on my back, but once I was on my stomach and that made me feel more vulnerable. Roofoo, I agree that stress is a major factor in SP, at least it has been for me. I know this must be pretty scary for you, because I remember feeling so terrified each time it occurred, but knowing that there are many that experience this, you needn't feel alone.

I don't know how old you are, but I didn't have my first episode until I was in my late teens. In my mid-twenties I was having so many occurrences that I actually went to the doctor to find out what was wrong with me. I had all kinds of testing done on me in the hospital including an EEG. Nothing was ever found to be wrong and not once did my doctor or nurses or anyone else for that matter, ever mention Sleep Paralysis which surprises me now considering that it is fairly common. Maybe back then it wasn't talked about . I certainly didn't find out about it until my mid-30's, and by that time, the episodes had slowed down considerably. Hopefully, now that you know what it is, you won't feel so scared when it happens.

Although I really don't want to have this happen again, I am also finding it somewhat fascinating. I did a bit of research after reading your suggestions regarding sleep position, and you seem to be on to something. (Not that I doubted either of you for a minute! ) Still, what I found was quite interesting.

"A supine (face up) position is antithetical to the more natural fetal sleeping position, when humans first experience REM sleep. In a sense, a supine position is not a very natural sleeping position at all (even though lots of folks do it) when you think about it in these developmental terms. Functionally speaking, sleeping on one's back may preserve a state of vigilance and therefore lead to the greater probability of self-awareness during REM sleep."

Oh my word, you guys are scaring the pants off of me. I experience something along the same lines but never anything like what you all have described. I will be sleeping deeply when I realize on a conscious level that I cannot breathe, nor can I reposition myself to enable easier breathing. I feel like I am being smothered and my inability to move heightens my sense of urgency. This goes on until, oh I don't know - I pass out? (how this is even possible because I am already asleep seems unlikely) I seem fully aware of this episode while it's happening, yet I forget all about it when waking.

This has gone on for years and I have mentioned it numerous times to my doctor, who referred me to a sleep clinic. I was tested, but "failed" to get an apnea diagnosis. This testing seemed unsatifactory to me because I could not go to sleep "on demand" as I felt uncomfortable being watched. This HAD to have thrown of my deep sleep pattern and resulted in a skewed reading. I had another episode just last night, but I can't for the life of me begin to guess what it is that's going on...

Man oh man this is just one thread that shouldn`t be read at 2.00 am, I have enough freaky dreams with the morphine without having thoughts like

Quote:

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"The name of the phenomenon comes from the superstitious belief that a witch - or an old hag - sits or "rides" the chest of the victims, rendering them immobile."

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and

Quote:

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The first time I woke up and couldn't move and I just "knew" there was a dark, evil thing hanging over me on the left, just out of sight. I couldn't move my head to see it. It was impossible that it was there because the wall was directly to my left, but I could still "feel" it there

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floating around in my head!

"This testing seemed unsatifactory to me because I could not go to sleep "on demand" as I felt uncomfortable being watched. This HAD to have thrown of my deep sleep pattern and resulted in a skewed reading."

I have often wondered how those sleep clincs can some up with any accurate information, at all! I simply can't imagine that anyone would sleep "normally" in an unfamiliar setting, while being monitored. I doesn't seem possible. Maybe if you were there for a really, really long time and were able to get used to it? Even still... I just don't know.

Can I ask, BurgGurl, how long did the study you participated in last?

It was just an overnight thing. First thing is you must arrive right after dinner in order to be wired. This takes a long time because you have these monitors all over your body, including your scalp - which in itself is very time consuming because of all the wax used to attach onto your head. Then it's bedtime, which for me was unusually early because I'm a night-owl. Also, it's extremely difficult to get comfortable because of all the wires. I tend to sleep on my side, but couldn't because my head was covered in those things, plus I am being spoken to by my 'viewer' who was in the next room. Not restful at all, so how one can even achieve deep sleep is beyond me. So of course my results were impacted and I still remain undiagnosed.

It's something like that that would require me to take a sleeping pill in order to settle in more comfortably, but it wasn't permitted as it would throw off the reading.

Sorry I missed this first time round digiserf, I was just told I'd been called for.

Sleep paralysis is when your brain's system to stop you moving to your dreams stays put while you regain consciousness. It's where the border between sleep and waking is overlapped. All the symptoms mentioned are typical and is usually harmless although I don't know anything about the clinical issues if there are any.

Alien abductions are like ufos. Once you eliminate the other explanations you're left with a handful that simply can't be explained. You don't get good, consistent and organised information in dreams or sleep paralysis, unless they are the very rare dreams which somehow connect to reality (which is a topic in itself). The chaos experienced in sleep paralysis has no beginning, middle or end, alien abductions normally take place when awake and people see a bright light or craft and then return to the same place or further on a route some time later with little or no memory what happened in between. The memories recovered are almost the same for every person, which is quite different for sleep paralysis and even more for dreams so a good try from the skeptics but quite different in reality.

About six months ago while I was sleeping I got the sense of something opening my bedroom door. It entered and sat on the side of my bed. I was on the other side of the bed turned away from it. I sensed the thing rise and come around to the side of the bed where I was lying. It bent down by my ear and softly called my name. I was panicking but couldn't move. As it called my name it made a soft sucking sound like it was sucking my life out and I found myself passing out. Before I passed out, I was able to get my fingers together to make a cross. My mind started clearing up and I could move again. It really seemed like it was happening and it was a very scary thing.