Paralyzed....

[sunshineofyourlove]

I had fallen asleep on the couch in my apartment. I was sleeping comfortably on my side. The couch faced the kitchen and I had left the light on over the stove. After I had fallen asleep I could felt something holding me down. I opened my eyes eyes and see the light on and the kitchen and I could also see the pillow I was sleeping on out of the corner of my eye. I could make out the specifict pattern on the pillow. My eyes were the only things I could move. I was paralyzed. In my mind I knew it was an evil force holding me down and not permitting me to move. I tried to physically struggle to get loose, but I couldn’t. Finally, I was able to get free and run, although my body felt really heavy and I was moving in slow motion. I made it to the top of the stairs when I saw a hooded figure in black standing on the landing of the stairs. I tried to run but then I was back on the couch paralyzed again. Finally I was let free and I ran down the stairs to my roommates at the time. Then I woke up.

This was the most terrifyng dream I've ever experienced because it felt so real. Any ideas about what this means?

[chanceyvex]

my god that sounds horrific id love to help you but if you read my thread youll relise im here for an answer to my own real-life nightmare

[Malikye]

I did extensive research on this phenomenon recently because my girlfriend was having serious sleep problems that involved the inability to breathe, and a couple of times feeling paralyzed.

The condition is called Sleep Paralysis, and is closely related to Sleep Apnea.

You will often read about overweight people and people with significant weight gains experiencing sleep apnea, but in my girlfriend's case, I am convinced it was an allergy-related sinus-induced form of sleep apnea.

When you sleep, the opening in your throat can close due to swelling, your sleeping angle, a narrow opening, etc. Your body will actually wake itself up to resume normally breathing patterns, and it can be freaky when you wake up not able to breathe for a matter of seconds.

The paralysis comes into the picture during this auto-wake process. When you are sleeping, your body disconnects the nerve signals to much of your body to prevent you from thrashing about or hurting yourself during REM sleep. If you experience sleep Apnea, and your body wakes you up suddenly during a REM state, you can actually be partially concious, while the rest of your body is still in an unconcious state of paralysis, which you are normally not supposed to be able to conciously experience.

If you do an Internet search for Sleep apnea you will find a number of orgs on it. The research into its relationship to sleep paralysis took a bit longer, and much of it was speculative and from user testimonials. When discussing it with my gf and looking for scientific trends I found it more common than thought, and logical.

Hope this helps!

[sunshineofyourlove]

Thank you so much! I do have sinus and allergy problems. I'm going to do some research about sleep apnea now. It helps to know a logical reason why that happened. I appreciate the info!

[d0llface10]

What you experienced is common. what the guy said about how the body disconnects the nerve signals to your body to keep you from hurting your self is absolutley true. your body is still in dream state while your mind was woken. during these episodes you will hallucinate because you are still dreaming. these episodes only last a few seconds but can seem like hours! I have gotten these dreams several times. not only can it be from allergies or sinus issues but it is cause from certain medications. Anti-depressants and sleep aides such as xanax and even perscription pain medication. stress can be another factor in this as well. if it happens frequent you need to talk to your doctor to make sure its not sleep apnea or any of the medications you are on because you would need to switch them. These dreams are normal and happen to a lot of people. I wouldnt worry about taking any actions just yet. wait it out because it may never happen to you again. i have had about 4 episodes like that and once even thought i saw aliens! but you definitly should be okay to let it go.

[SNG]

A while back for about two weeks I used to suffer from sleep paralysis every night and it was getting worse. I was considering going to a doctor because it was really freaking me out. Then we had an earthquake and it completely stopped. I'v never suffered from it since. Might of been a coincidence but it was still a bit strange.

[madwebby28]

Occasionally my mind wakes up after I've been asleep but the rest of my body stays totally paralyzed for at least a minute. When this happens I also feel as though there is a evil presence in the room with me, and I can feel it coming slowly towards me. It is terrifying. As this happened to anyone else in this forum?

[keypee]

it happen to me before.. i think it has something to do with the way we sleep.. or maybe there's something in it that is telling us that our death is coming close im also scared though

[Belle #2]

for some reason it happens all the time with me but is helpfull to know that it is common. also i am petrified when this happens as there is always an evil presence or feeling and i find my self doing crazy things i have no control over. it may be to wake myself fully up, i don't know. but it scares even my partner as he sees me do these out of character actions. when i'm out of the paralysis i cry because i feel something is still in the room very spooky

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by Belle #2

for some reason it happens all the time with me but is helpfull to know that it is common. also i am petrified when this happens as there is always an evil presence or feeling and i find my self doing crazy things i have no control over. it may be to wake myself fully up, i don't know. but it scares even my partner as he sees me do these out of character actions. when i'm out of the paralysis i cry because i feel something is still in the room very spooky

Hi
These sleep paralysis dreams can be frightening, Howeverthe only aim of the dream is to wake you up from an uncomfortable sleeping position.

it scares even my partner as he sees me do these out of character actions.

Now if your partner put his hand on your shoulder and applied gentle pressure to turn you over, the dream would change, you would take up a different sleeping position and would go back to sleep. Try it!
Cheers Wolfjk