Sleep Paralysis
Around 6 am this morning, I had another episode. I was asleep in my bed when I felt a malevolent being in my room. Once again, I couldn't move or scream. I felt pinned to my bed. The room appeared to be spinning but I soon realized it was just my eyes darting around the room looking for the foreboding presence to materialize. All of a sudden, water gushed out of the ceiling lamp similiar to a fire sprinkler system. Soon, I was drenched in water. I couldn't move. I was drowning.....
I didn't realize this was actually a condition that others have experienced. It is a frightening experience that occurs quite frequently for me. From what I gathered on the internet, sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the bodily paralysis persists. Various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations:
Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards)
Increased stress
Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
I've been sleeping in the supine position (and increasing height of pillows) to help minimize the baggy eyes I acquire in the mornings due to my allergies. So on top of sleeping in the supine position, I was also taking various antihistamines. I was also up late programming last night. I'm sure these attributed to the sleep paralysis this morning.
My earliest account of sleep paralysis occurred when I was probably seven or eight years old. I had the feeling of being pinned to my bed and I couldn't move or scream. I saw a "being" float into my room. She cried softly as she laid down next to me. I was terrified - I couldn't move!! At the time, I thought I saw a ghost, but now I realize it was probably sleep paralysis.
I only thought this was worth mentioning as it is occurring frequently. Each occurrence rendering me closer to suffocation. It's getting close to bed time .. :(
Sleep paralysis is a condition in which someone, most often lying in a supine (face up) position, about to drop off to sleep, or just upon awaking from sleep realizes that s/he is unable to move, or speak, or cry out. People frequently report feeling a 'presence' that is often described as malevolent, threatening, or evil. An intense sense of dread and terror is very common. The presence is likely to be vaguely felt or sensed just out of sight but thought to be watching or monitoring, often with intense interest, sometimes standing by, or sitting on the bed.
I didn't realize this was actually a condition that others have experienced. It is a frightening experience that occurs quite frequently for me. From what I gathered on the internet, sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the bodily paralysis persists. Various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations:
I've been sleeping in the supine position (and increasing height of pillows) to help minimize the baggy eyes I acquire in the mornings due to my allergies. So on top of sleeping in the supine position, I was also taking various antihistamines. I was also up late programming last night. I'm sure these attributed to the sleep paralysis this morning.
My earliest account of sleep paralysis occurred when I was probably seven or eight years old. I had the feeling of being pinned to my bed and I couldn't move or scream. I saw a "being" float into my room. She cried softly as she laid down next to me. I was terrified - I couldn't move!! At the time, I thought I saw a ghost, but now I realize it was probably sleep paralysis.
I only thought this was worth mentioning as it is occurring frequently. Each occurrence rendering me closer to suffocation. It's getting close to bed time .. :(
posted at
9:59 PM
3 Comments:
That sounds pretty scary. It seems like a lot of strange things happen right at the transition between sleeping and waking.
at 9:05 PM
Actually, this happens to me all the time and now that I'm reading what you posted, I've made the connection that it's always when I rapidly come out of a deep sleep when I'm dreaming. Like, I think there's someone inside my closet watching me or standing over my bed and i don't move for a bit. It gradually goes away as I wake up.
at 10:44 AM
I just noticed this post. That's some scary shit. I've had dreams where I'm paralyzed and driving. But nothing like what you've described. If i were you, I'd investigate lucid dreaming and how to induce it. It might very possibly give you great relief. I use to do that years ago. It was terrific. That way you develop the ability to control your dreams. It will free you.
at 3:48 AM
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