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[MrOogieBoogie]

Just woke up from "pulling" myself out of sleep paralysis, so to speak. Now, every time I close my eyes I feel the sensation of being grabbed and sucked into that paralyzing dream state. Every time! I had to force my body to stay awake long enough to come to my senses and post this. It's like 6am here, too.

Wtf do I do? Is my fate inevitable? This blows.

I hope this thread is real because I was dreaming about posting it exactly the way I am now in a dream concurrent with my sleep paralysis, so it's all very surreal.

 

[DJwest]

Sometimes the stuff posted on this forum instead of seeking professional help worries me. I mean, is sleep paralysis being this frequent normal ?

 

[Bluth54]

I've had sleep paralysis twice, it's awful. Both times it took a little while before I could go to sleep again.

 

[SolarPowered]

Sometimes the stuff posted on this forum instead of seeking professional help worries me. I mean, is sleep paralysis being this frequent normal ?

I've experienced it dozens of times. It was bad in my teenage years, but I couldn't tell my parents because I feared they'd think I'm crazy (the gap between american raised kids and less educated immigrant parents is a large one at times, especially once you toss in communication issues). I've probably experienced it about twice in seven years now.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

Sometimes the stuff posted on this forum instead of seeking professional help worries me. I mean, is sleep paralysis being this frequent normal ?

No! It's just that this episode is relentless. I managed to escape it, but every time I close my eyes now I'll revert back to that feeling of being pulled back in. Maybe I stay awake for a while before trying to sleep again?

 

[Mr_Antimatter]

Having had experiences with this myself, I'd suggest seeing a doctor. It could be a sign of something more series going on if it keeps happening.

 

[redmetal86]

Let it take you. Dive deeper into it and have the best lucid dream ever.

Seriously though, I'm not sure. Does anything thing in particular trigger your paralysis? It usually happens to me when I'm extremely tired from a lack of sleep and sleep in a certain position (on my back). Once it happens, I just try my hardest to curl my toes to snap out of it.

 

[NAPK1NS]

There is nothing "more serious" going on unless yo have some narcoleptic tendency you aren't aware of.

Basically you are falling too quickly into REM sleep. A quick easy tip is not to sleep on your back.

Make sure you maintain a sleep pattern. Exhausting yourself will plummet you into that dream state as soon as you hit the pillow. Ease into your rest.

Easier said, but mind any anxiety or stress. Have tea before bed.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

Let it take you. Dive deeper into it and have the best lucid dream ever.

Seriously though, I'm not sure. Does anything thing in particular trigger your paralysis? It usually happens to me when I'm extremely tired from a lack of sleep and sleep in a certain position (on my back). Once it happens, I just try my hardest to curl my toes to snap out of it.

Pretty much what happened tonight.

 

[CSJ]

How often a week does it happen and for how long?
I get it a few times a month and sometimes it's as you mentioned; you can actually feel yourself falling asleep(r your body slowing being paralyzed) where you're usually unaware of it - you feel losing control of your body slowly and you start hearing weird shit that you shouldn't normally hear but it's always so frightening.

One time it was like a massive hurricane had just blasted through my windows tearing but the wind sounded like it had terryfing howling voices.

Edit: I don't get them because I'm really tired, I have sleeping issues as it is but I usually wake from it paralyzed and from then on that night it'll keep happening.

 

[Vermillion]

Sleep paralysis is more common for me if I've messed up my sleep schedule severely and/or try to sleep for too long. Do either of these things describe you, OP, or is it a normal sleep?

 

[openrob]

I usually get it when I disrupt my usual sleeping pattern, like if I stay up all night, s sleep for a couple of hours, wake up for a bit and try to crash out again.

Maybe just try to regulate your sleep? Use OTC drugs if you need to.

 

[Chabbles]

Just woke up from "pulling" myself out of sleep paralysis, so to speak. Now, every time I close my eyes I feel the sensation of being grabbed and sucked into that paralyzing dream state. Every time! I had to force my body to stay awake long enough to come to my senses and post this. It's like 6am here, too.

Wtf do I do? Is my fate inevitable? This blows.

I hope this thread is real because I was dreaming about posting it exactly the way I am now in a dream concurrent with my sleep paralysis, so it's all very surreal.

LOL, oh man that shit, i used to get the exact same thing. every time you break out of it, 60 seconds later it starts up again, eventually its like, fuck it, if i die i die i need some fooking sleep. Turn over on your stomach and see if that helps.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

Sleep paralysis is more common for me if I've messed up my sleep schedule severely and/or try to sleep for too long. Do either of these things describe you, OP, or is it a normal sleep?

Messed with it today by waking up early after a bad sleep, then napping a couple hours in the evening, and then staying up too late.

Now I find myself in this predicament.

Well, I'm gonna lay down again. Wish me luck, GAF.

 

[Enzom21]

I used to get sleep paralysis constantly as a kid and teen and there is nothing more terrifying than not being able to breathe or more so I can relate.

The only I could fully wake myself up was to shake my foot, every time without fail it worked.

The feeling of paralysis coming on as you sleep is something that I experienced often as well and the only advice I can give is don't fight it. I think the fear and the fighting to stay awake made it worse.

The whole sleep paralysis thing just kind of went away for me, hope it does the same for you.

 

[C4Lukins]

Just woke up from "pulling" myself out of sleep paralysis, so to speak. Now, every time I close my eyes I feel the sensation of being grabbed and sucked into that paralyzing dream state. Every time! I had to force my body to stay awake long enough to come to my senses and post this. It's like 6am here, too.

Wtf do I do? Is my fate inevitable? This blows.

I hope this thread is real because I was dreaming about posting it exactly the way I am now in a dream concurrent with my sleep paralysis, so it's all very surreal.

Do not sleep on your back.

Prescription sleeping drugs and alcohol seem to make it happen more often.

Do not eat or drink withen a few hours of going to sleep.

If it hits you late at night, get yourself up for a few minutes, maybe jump around a bit. If you do not get your head straight it will continue throughout the nite.

I went through a couple of years where I had it every other nite, and the good news is that you get used to it. You start to gain control of it, and that horror and sometimes phantom pain becomes something you are aware of, and you just need to fight it. You become aware when it is happening, and you are able to shock yourself out of it.

I rarely get it anymore, but when it does happen, I have become so aware of it that it is no longer scary, and I can will myself out of it. Do not worry, you will get through it.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

Don't sleep on your back.

I experience sleep paralysis about once a week because of reasons, and the other thing you can do is to try to tell yourself that you can actually breathe. Try counting down from twenty, and just calmly focus your mind towards wakefulness as you do so - instead of trying to "jolt" yourself awake.

 

[Log4Girlz]

I get SP all the fucking time

 

[Brhoom]

Try switching sides, for example if sleeping on right, sleep on your left, works for me.

 

[Dorsal Axe]

I always get sleep paralysis if I get too warm in bed, so maybe try cooling down a bit in addition to the other suggestions.

Sleep paralysis is why I will always keep an analog clock next to my bed. Listening out for the ticking snaps me straight out of it.

 

[Evo X]

Oh man, sleep paralysis is scary as hell.

I got it last year. I woke up and felt like there was a presence in my room that was in the corner, then slowly coming towards me. I could look around, but couldn't move a single muscle.

Shit was legit freaky. I thought I was gonna die.

 

[Eiolon]

I get it all the time as part of my anxiety attacks. I have to tell myself out loud that its okay and its just an attack and I beat it psychologically.

 

[C4Lukins]

Oh man, sleep paralysis is scary as hell.

I got it last year. I woke up and felt like there was a presence in my room that was in the corner, then slowly coming towards me. I could look around, but couldn't move a single muscle.

Shit was legit freaky. I thought I was gonna die.

Yep.

I think every alien abduction case is simply people misinterpreting sleep paralyis.

You feel strapped down, an overwhelming sense of dread, and an evil entity looming over you.

 

[kingofthedead45]

Why the don't sleep on the back thing?? I only experience sp when sleeping on my back why is that? And boy did you describe the "being grabbed" bit far better then I've ever been able to. Thats it's exactly what it feels like.


^ wow wtf. That happens aswell

 

[HelloMeow]

I get this sometimes. It helps if I get out of bed and drink some water. That seems to break the cycle.

 

[Sinfamy]

I often wake up wondering if it was a dream or a memory.
I never had paralysis, but my dreams are so realistic and simple, like doing homework, only to be disappointed when I wake up that its not done, so I'm basically doing it twice.

 

[Aeriscloud]

I experience sleep paralysis EVERY time I do not have "white noise"when I sleep. So I use one of these fans. I think I've been using one since I was eleven or so.

 

[C4Lukins]

Why the don't sleep on the back thing?? I only experience sp when sleeping on my back why is that? And boy did you describe the "being grabbed" bit far better then I've ever been able to. Thats it's exactly what it feels like.


^ wow wtf. That happens aswell

I have no clue about the science of sleeping on your back. My guess would be that you are taking in less air, your lungs are working harder, and your body is working much more while you are sleeping, and that causes a reaction in some people where they have trouble achieving deep sleep.

That is my bull shit explanation that involves zero science. That being said, if I fall asleep on my back, it happens everytime.

 

[Barrylocke]

Call me weird but I kind of want to experience this at least once. It sounds like it would be obnoxious to terrifying to have to deal with it on a regular basis, but the sensation of not being able to move despite being awake and alert seems like one I'd like to try at some point.

A lot of people are saying that sleeping on your back makes it more likely to happen, and I usually sleep on my stomache. That could be a potential reason I've never encountered this before.

 

[Anung]

I usually get it once every few months and always after I've rolled over on to my back. Awful experiences though each time that I wouldn't wish on anybody. I wish I could use it as a platform to lucid dream but usually I'm too busy being scared shitless to think about anything.

Couldn't imagine having it chronically.

 

[sleverfunk]

I expreience a lot of sp in my life. Its not that scary anymore, i just try to move my tongue to wake up my body.

 

[Damian.]

When this happens to me I get up, turn the light on and stay awake for a couple of minutes. Once I'm fully awake I lay back down, sometimes I get stuck in a cycle where when I just keep coming out of SP I go right back in since I'm so sleepy.

Oh, and this is what's paralyzing you:

 

[Vermillion]

Messed with it today by waking up early after a bad sleep, then napping a couple hours in the evening, and then staying up too late.

Now I find myself in this predicament.

Well, I'm gonna lay down again. Wish me luck, GAF.

That'd do it.

 

[Lovely Salsa]

have your favourite tv show on repeat and watch it when you're paralyzed. Thats what I did, watched a classic simpsons episode while in sleep paralysis. It was nice

 

[pfkas]

I was dreaming the other night, fairly lucidly, and the dream broke down and I ended up spinning really quickly in a black void. Horrible. Felt fucked up in the morning too.

 

[C4Lukins]

Call me weird but I kind of want to experience this at least once. It sounds like it would be obnoxious to terrifying to have to deal with it on a regular basis, but the sensation of not being able to move despite being awake and alert seems like one I'd like to try at some point.

A lot of people are saying that sleeping on your back makes it more likely to happen, and I usually sleep on my stomache. That could be a potential reason I've never encountered this before.

Go for it. It is not fun, and can be painful, but it is an experience.

 

[Vagabundo]

try your best to be mindful. You body will wake up itself. Its just you coming from a very deep sleep to wakefullness. The anxiety makes it worst. Try some mindfulness excercises before you go back to sleep.

 

[Edwards_Omatic]

Ah I know your pain man (to a lesser extent by the sounds of it).
I can't explain how terrifying sleep paralysis is, although I'm sure you're aware.

I had about a week of it and yeah, was probably the scariest thing I've ever gone through. That week a few years ago was the only time I've experienced it though, so all I can say is that it should hopefully pass soon, and stay gone for at least a while.

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

Man, sleep paralysis always creeps me out, I can't imagine how scared I would be if it happened to me.
Sorry that I can't help you OP but please go to a doctor because this can't be good.

 

[Bright Side of Life]

Sleep in a different room or on the opposite side of the bed, that sort of helped me. Of course I ended moving to "get rid" of sleep paralysis. I attribute my sleep paralysis to the maybe radon posioning from living in a basement apartment >_> Who knows. Never had itr before then or after that apartment.

It'll most likely pass because it's probably stress related (at least that's how mine felt, full time school/job, crappy roommates, 2 hour commute, etc)

 

[Hypemaster]

Don't sleep on your back.

 

[Aske]

Lots of good advice in this thread. I suffered from sleep paralysis regularly for a few years in my teens, and thankfully grew out of it completely. As C4Lukins said, you do get used to it after a while, but some tips:

- Never sleep on your back, because it's more likely to happen; never sleep on your stomach because you'll feel like you're suffocating in your pillow. Try and sleep on your side. Recovery position works extremely well.

- Keep your room as cold as you can stand. Not sure why, but I find this massively helps, and also prevents bad dreams.

- If it hits you and you wake up, don't just roll over and go back to sleep. Much like returning to a dreaming state, it can catch you again. Spend some time awake before going back to sleep, preferably out of your bed so it can cool down.

- Be aware of any medications you may be taking regularly. Talk to your doctor about your sleep paralysis with regard to any prescriptions, because it may be a side effect that can be easily fixed with a bit of experimentation.

- Try to stay calm when it happens. Some people try to focus on moving a finger. I like to feel like I'm brute-forcing my whole body out of it at once. Neither technique makes a difference, but it gives you a sense of agency.

- If you're sleeping with a partner, don't try to ask them for help. You'll think you're saying "hey, could you give me a shake?" but what will come out of your head will be a stream of horrifying not-words that at best make you sound like you're having a stroke. Best to stay quiet until your body sorts itself out naturally.

 

[Jburton]

How are you sleeping in general?

My bouts of multiple sleep paralysis happen when I have little sleep or my pattern is way off.

Stress is also a contributor.

Do you suffer from other sleep phenomena?

Also, as other said ..... don't sleep on your back!

 

[Mango Positive]

I love sleep paralysis, because I can always use it to launch myself into an ultra-realistic lucid dream. My advice is to go with it, be calm, and open that door to another reality. Go fly over to that hot chick's house and save her from that demon with a lightsaber or something.

 

[Super_Cobra]

I love sleep paralysis. I love the feeling of my brain not being able to control my body. In the dream only. No I don't want to be quadriplegic lol.

 

[TrutaS]

When this started to happen to me I quickly learned to identify it. Usually I would close my eyes and think of my cat. It somehow relaxed me into being able move again, or shut my awareness of and continue sleeping.

It hasn't happened for a year now. But I suspect that will happen again now that I am living alone. It's deeply tied to my fears.

 

[Who]

I had it a few times as a kid, I remember being absolutely terrified.

I feel for ya OP

 

[Inkvoterad]

I've had reocurring sleep paralysis for about 2-3 years now. At times it happens very rarely, sometimes once a week or sometimes, like yesterday 3 fucking times in row during the morning.
I had woken up and felt like shit, so i called in sick from school and went to sleep again. This ofcourse led me to get a sleep paralysis. Since i've gotten these things before i know almost instantly what's going on, since you're aware and all that. Anyway, it didnt really go on for long until i managed to shake myself out of it. I was however, still dreadfully tired. So i fell asleep again, and almost instantly i lost control of my body again, i felt like i was being pushed down my bed, really heavily and i started hearing white noise again (that happens every time, dont know why). The first time i got a sleep paralysis i got the white noise thing, and as it got bigger and bigger (it gets so loud my ears start to hurt) i started hearing like, a waterfall or some shit in the distance. Then "woke up" so to say.
Anyway. I shaked myself out the second time, then actually thought to myself "if i fall asleep like this again, i'll know it'll happen". So well... i did. And shit my balls, i got sleep paralysis again! This time i was aware of it so much that i decided to not shake myself out of it. So the white noise got louder and louder, and my body felt like it was vibrating. Before i continue, have you all played the small horror game "imscared"? The monster there does a similar noise to white noise, but with a bit more.. voice i guess? Anyway, i started hearing that, freaked the fuck out and managed to shake out of it.
During summer it barely happened, but this fall and onward i've been getting them more often. I've been pretty stressed out and i feel like i'm falling into some depression again, which last time led me to take a break from school for 9 months.

I've had them several times at night before this too, but at those times i got so freaked out i couldnt fall asleep.

But yeah, shit's spooky. But still pretty interesting.

 

[hachi]

Now, every time I close my eyes I feel the sensation of being grabbed and sucked into that paralyzing dream state.

I've had sleep paralysis off and on my entire life, but I particularly am interested that you mentioned the feeling of being pulled into the dream state. This sensation was so common for me in childhood -- laying down and feeling that a coming semi-lucid nightmare was physically dragging me in, sometimes beginning to hear the distorted voices of things that would soon follow in the dream, before being fully asleep, with a sensation of being pulled downwards into it -- but I usually don't hear people discuss it as much with sleep paralysis, and often just hear others describe the other half of it, after you awake and cannot move.

 

[Aske]

The dream anecdotes are really interesting. I frequently have lucid dreams, but they've never been associated with sleep paralysis for me (not saying they aren't caused by the same underlying brain-quirks though). I just wake up, and can't move for a bit. I've also never been aware of being dragged into sleep paralysis. Sometimes I'd be dreaming about it, then wake up to find it was happening - those bizarre "dreaming I woke up" dreams - but it's never led me into a lucid dream. I can see how it could for some people, since lucidity is often associated with poor-quality sleep, or waking up and then falling asleep again; but for me, the recurrent paralysis always trumped dreams if I let myself go back to sleep.

Fascinating stuff.