Can't Wake Up

[pickel123]

Originally Posted by FlyingMaster

I hope someone out there is an EXPERT!! Because this happens to you quite frequently, as it does to me, I wanted to ask you if the hallucinations or cause for the paralysis has "entered" into your dream state? This question is very hard to communicate for me and takes a little back-story:

I've read that there are two kinds of sleep paralysis, one which is more common and involves the feeling of the body unable to move and the other which involves "hallucinations," including a presence that "sits on your chest" or on the bed, voices, etc. When I first experienced sleep paralysis it included hallucinations (and has since) BUT I knew I was in my bed, in my room, and I was awaken by the covers moving slowly off of my body--it felt as if they were being pulled off and so it scared the #@$% out of me but, of course, I could not wake up to see what it was. When I was finally able to open my eyes, nothing was there and my covers were pulled all the way up to my chest (not down to my thighs as it felt). I also had this same experience, where I knew I was in my room and in my bed, but instead of moving my covers, the perceived presence wrapped its/his arms around me from behind and whispered in my ear. I woke up immediately from that.

As time has gone on, this experience has grown more complex. The next "phase," if you will, consisted of me actually sleeping, dreaming of something when I suddenly recognize this same presence, at which point I become cognizant of the fact that I am sleeping and then try to wake myself up--which, looking back on it now, happened relatively quickly (with some inability to move and teeth grinding in the attempt to call out for help etc, but eventually waking up from that single experience). Now, however, the experience has reached the point where I will be dreaming, suddenly recognize this presence, attempt to wake up, think I am awake by dreaming something that seems real (like being in my room or with friends or at work) when something tips me off and I realize this presence has merely taken the form of a co-worker or someone/thing familiar to keep me asleep and I start the process all over again, straining my body to move, attempting to call out for help, feeling pain in my side from intense pressure (from the presence) only to experience another "false awakening." Its gotten to where I will do things in my dream to see if I'm dreaming or not and when I realize I am still asleep, I feel more annoyance than fear (though fear is still there). It is like, "Son of a #@%$, here it goes again."

I guess what I am wondering is if you or anyone else experiences their hallucinations supposedly created from sleep paralysis in their dreams as well? AND When sleep paralysis is supposedly occurring, are we really AWAKE as we normally think of it? I know one person's thread on here said that she "got up to wash her face" but really was still lying on the couch "asleep."

What do you think?

Patiently Awaiting A (any) Reply,

FlyingMaster

P.S. To anyone who also suffers from experiences like these, here is a website for a study group devoted to researching sleep paralysis. There is also a survery for people to help in describing the experience: Sleep Paralysis Page

This is too weird! I have been having this "dream" for a few months now, it only happens right when I fall asleep and I also think oh *$&@ here it goes again! I always know when it is going to happen I can feel it starting when I fall asleep and imedatly start trying to wake up, it is really scary to me, sometimes I feel like I am being pulled or swung around my room, I can always hear everything around me, I always have a very intense pain in my left side, I can feel myself moving around my room, (almost like when you are on a roller coaster the feeling in your stomach) except it is very scary because I am not in control and I am being pulled by this scary force, I have seen a male figure before but am not sure who or what it is, my husband will now hear when I start trying to scream (it only comes out as a little moan) but he knows now to wake me up when he hears me. It is so hard to explain it but I am glad it is not only me! I was really starting to freak out!

[pickel123]

Originally Posted by FlyingMaster

I hope someone out there is an EXPERT!! Because this happens to you quite frequently, as it does to me, I wanted to ask you if the hallucinations or cause for the paralysis has "entered" into your dream state? This question is very hard to communicate for me and takes a little back-story:

I've read that there are two kinds of sleep paralysis, one which is more common and involves the feeling of the body unable to move and the other which involves "hallucinations," including a presence that "sits on your chest" or on the bed, voices, etc. When I first experienced sleep paralysis it included hallucinations (and has since) BUT I knew I was in my bed, in my room, and I was awaken by the covers moving slowly off of my body--it felt as if they were being pulled off and so it scared the #@$% out of me but, of course, I could not wake up to see what it was. When I was finally able to open my eyes, nothing was there and my covers were pulled all the way up to my chest (not down to my thighs as it felt). I also had this same experience, where I knew I was in my room and in my bed, but instead of moving my covers, the perceived presence wrapped its/his arms around me from behind and whispered in my ear. I woke up immediately from that.

As time has gone on, this experience has grown more complex. The next "phase," if you will, consisted of me actually sleeping, dreaming of something when I suddenly recognize this same presence, at which point I become cognizant of the fact that I am sleeping and then try to wake myself up--which, looking back on it now, happened relatively quickly (with some inability to move and teeth grinding in the attempt to call out for help etc, but eventually waking up from that single experience). Now, however, the experience has reached the point where I will be dreaming, suddenly recognize this presence, attempt to wake up, think I am awake by dreaming something that seems real (like being in my room or with friends or at work) when something tips me off and I realize this presence has merely taken the form of a co-worker or someone/thing familiar to keep me asleep and I start the process all over again, straining my body to move, attempting to call out for help, feeling pain in my side from intense pressure (from the presence) only to experience another "false awakening." Its gotten to where I will do things in my dream to see if I'm dreaming or not and when I realize I am still asleep, I feel more annoyance than fear (though fear is still there). It is like, "Son of a #@%$, here it goes again."

I guess what I am wondering is if you or anyone else experiences their hallucinations supposedly created from sleep paralysis in their dreams as well? AND When sleep paralysis is supposedly occurring, are we really AWAKE as we normally think of it? I know one person's thread on here said that she "got up to wash her face" but really was still lying on the couch "asleep."

What do you think?

Patiently Awaiting A (any) Reply,

FlyingMaster

P.S. To anyone who also suffers from experiences like these, here is a website for a study group devoted to researching sleep paralysis. There is also a survery for people to help in describing the experience: Sleep Paralysis Page

This is too weird! I have been having this "dream" for a few months now, it only happens right when I fall asleep and I also think oh *$&@ here it goes again! I always know when it is going to happen I can feel it starting when I fall asleep and imedatly start trying to wake myself up, it is really scary to me, sometimes I feel and see myself being pulled or swung around my room, I can always hear everything around me, I always have a very intense pain in my left side, I think the pain is almost the worst part and everytime I try to move, scream or make myself wake up the pain gets worse, and stops me from trying. I can feel myself moving around my room, (almost like when you are on a roller coaster the feeling in your stomach) except it is very scary because I am not in control and I am being pulled by this scary force, I have seen a male figure before but am not sure who or what it is, my husband will now hear when I start trying to scream (it only comes out as a little moan) but he knows now to wake me up when he hears me. It is so hard to explain it but I am glad it is not only me! I was really starting to freak out!

[person85]

Yoy may not be christian,and be insulted by this, but i would say the lord's prayer or some prayer such as "jesus save me" . when i have weird dreams or dreams i would not like to have, i say a prayer and i wake up.

[apatche]

Originally Posted by beefragafragious

Because of this happening so much to me that it became a problem. I had to study and find out how to stop it. Turns out, when you sleep, your brain secretes this chemical that basically tells your body to stop moving. It's what keeps you from thrashing around in your sleep. People who sleepwalk and talk in there sleep and stuff don't have enough of this chemical secretion. So basically, your waking up, but your brain kind of forgets to stop secreting this chemical.

Everyone with this weird problem has there own way of telling there brain to snap out of it. Mine is actually "wiggle your big toe". There is no treatment for this because there is such a minority of people with it, and its not really life threatning. Except maybe a housefire or somthing. Anyway, thats what it is. All you can do is find your own way of "snapping your brain out of it". I hope this helps.

So wHat happens when you know your sleeping while your in the dream but cant move. Then your body starts hallucinating and it looks and feels like i'm moving but then i end up in the exact same place. I get real thirsty and i almost swallowed my tong trying to scream...what then??..An all this went on for over two hours.

[DarkEye]

Yes it happened to me twice. when I was a little kid and like 2 years ago. its like some one holding me to the ground. I was close to a friend lying down I tried to yell but I couldn't. I dont remember what happened to me when I was a little kid my mom told me that I was struggling to wake up while sleeping on the couch. when she gave me water I spit on her face. since then I cant sleep before sun down. creepy I barely remember those dreams.

[anzac3]

Originally Posted by Wolfjk

Hi,
Relax! it is quite common. The dream happens when you have to wake up for some reason - usally sleeping, or going to sleep in a bad position. Often happens when the person falls asleep sitting up, or just having a nap. Sleeping on ones back or belly can also cause dreams like this.
The dream is actually frightening you awake by the idea that you can't move. You start to struggle and make a conscious effort to wake up. It is a mechanical device - like an alarm clock.
Cheers Wolfjk

So lets say, u needed to wake up for an unknown reason, and this situation occurred, what if in the dream u actually didn't struggle, what would happen? just a curiosity.

[anzac3]

Originally Posted by pickel123

This is too weird! I have been having this "dream" for a few months now, it only happens right when I fall asleep and I also think oh *$&@ here it goes again! I always know when it is going to happen I can feel it starting when I fall asleep and imedatly start trying to wake myself up, it is really scary to me, sometimes I feel and see myself being pulled or swung around my room, I can always hear everything around me, I always have a very intense pain in my left side, I think the pain is almost the worst part and everytime I try to move, scream or make myself wake up the pain gets worse, and stops me from trying. I can feel myself moving around my room, (almost like when you are on a roller coaster the feeling in your stomach) except it is very scary because I am not in control and I am being pulled by this scary force, I have seen a male figure before but am not sure who or what it is, my husband will now hear when I start trying to scream (it only comes out as a little moan) but he knows now to wake me up when he hears me. It is so hard to explain it but I am glad it is not only me! I was really starting to freak out!

This "Dream" like the force u talk of, i think ive had it but not sure if it was just a normal dream, for example a man ran into my room and jumped on me pressing me to the bed squishing me and held a gun to my head, is this the same thing or a regular dream, i felt as if i couldnt breathe or move.

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by anzac3

So lets say, u needed to wake up for an unknown reason, and this situation occurred, what if in the dream u actually didn't struggle, what would happen? just a curiosity.

Hi,
The subconscious creates the dream to wake you up. By the time you can decide that you don't want to struggle, your brain has taken over and you can decide what you want to do! However if some part of your body is hurting your brain will tell you to move. The dream is the go-between the brain and the subconscious.
Cheers Wolfjk

[ms.b]

Originally Posted by OngDia

On many occassion, I had this problem. I have search many websites from science, to psych to the super natural.

I have read a lot and this is a short explaination without going into boring lectures. This is my conclusion that coincide with most of the replies above...

When you go to sleep, your body shuts down first, then your brain will be put to "sleep mode." However, the brain does not completely shut down the hearing, touch, and some other senses. This is common for the emergency "Fight or Flight" scenario in all animals.

When you can't move, your brain has not decided whether to continue sleeping or wake the body from the sleep. Hence, you are fully cognitive and realize you can't move.

My solution is this....
1) Just relax the body. When the tingly sensation subside, jolt the arm real hard to wake up.
2) I realize that my body is in this state and simply go back to sleep.
3) Last but not least, try to get a habit of sleep with some normal schedule so the brain knows that it is time to sleep.

I can honestly say that my problem is solved !!!!!!

thanks for this! i just had one right now & just jolted my arm real hard so i could wake up. i fell asleep again & the dream continued & i wanted to wake up again & so i did.

this happens to me a lot of times & i just realized now because of your #3 solution why this keeps happening to me. i took a nap earlier & woke up around 4am. around 6 i was trying to sleep again & that's when the dream happened where i knew i was dreaming & wanted to wake up badly & felt like i couldn't breathe.

relief!

[jrodrigu]

Originally Posted by marymary11

I start to pray frantically for Jesus to help and protect me and my children. .....Also, I've heard a mans voice in my dreams, mostly I thought it was my fiance, but as I tried so hard to follow it, it turned into a very faint "spooky" voice at the end. HELP! I'm not crazy!!!! But this feels crazy!

I find this very interesting. I, too, just had a dream where I woke up frantically praying for me, family and friends safety. I also heard a woman's voice in my dream.

Here is a quick outline of my dream:

I was in a dark cave or evil place (possibly hell?) and there were two paths. One was dark and full of ankle-deep water. The other was also dark, but had a staircase. I was with a group of men and one other girl that was about my age. I didn't recognize any of these people. The men went down the water filled path with some sort of explosive to "blow up" that entrance. As they were working on setting the bomb up and pushing objects in front of the bomb to secure it.. me and the other girl decided to go down the path with the stairs. We figured we would get a head start without the guys. As we began walking toward the steps, we heard a middle-aged womans voice. It was a very scary evil voice that said something along the lines of: "I have seen the creation of the earth and I know it will end next year..... I look forward to meeting (or seeing) you in hell" and the whole time she spoke she was laughing. Almost as if she was laughing AT me. Once she began to speak, me and the other girl went back towards the other path with the water to meet up with the guys. We were no longer in sight of the stairs, but we could still hear the woman's voice. The girl I was with seemed fine and level headed. I was beginning to freak out in the dream though. I began breathing heavily and I could feel a rush of fear through my body and heart. I then began frantically praying to god for me and my family and friends. Then I woke up and was still praying..... Very creepy.