Sleep Paralysis?

Question

I often get something called sleep paralysis when Im sleeping (obviously). Either when I am falling asleep or trying to wake up, its accompanied by actual paralysis where I can not move or call out to people, my mind is awake but I can not get up and then there are the vivid dreams that occure in this state and actual hallucinations, sometimes of feeling something heavy sit on me, hearing voices that aren't there, briefly being able to open my eyes and thinking a woman is in the room with me.....

I asked my doctor about it and he directed me to a few web sites and articles on the subject but it seems not many people know about it.

Does anyone know how to prevent this condition, it is terrifying to experience and I live through it 3 or 4 times a week, it started when I was very young

And even odder, many of my dream like hallucinations are the same, involving the inside of a home I have never seen and a woman I have never met. Do you think they actually mean something?

Answer 1

Man, I asked a similar question on Yahoo answers 2 weeks ago. I get this all the time, its pretty scary, although it lasts for quite a short period. Wikipedia has some good information, although I'm not sure if there is much helpful info on there.

Answer 2

I had that happen a few times when I was in my teens, it is very scary. I didn't hallucinate though and don't remember any dreams. I just remember feeling as though I was awake but could not move or call out to anyone. I never knew the name of it so was very interested to see your question. I don't know what caused it or how to prevent it.It just stopped happening. I wish I could tell you more. Best of Luck.

Answer 3

Alright I just did some research on Sleep Paralysis because I suffer from it as well and I always assumed that it was a reoccurring nightmare. Here are a couple of reasons as to WHY it happens:

*Sleeping in an upwards supine position

*Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation

*Increased stress

*Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes

*A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams, also known as WILD[1] .

*Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines

*Recent use of hallucinogenic drugs

The best ways of preventing it are:

* Changing your sleeping position to a side position

* Find stress relieving activities to take part in during the day

* Start having a regular and normal sleeping cycle

* To try moving the facial muscles and moving eyes from one side to the other. This may hasten the termination of the attack

* There is a medication you can take called Clonazepam which is highly effective in the treatment of sleep paralysis. The initial dose is 0.5 mg at bedtime, while an increase to 1 mg per night might be necessary to maintain potency.

Your hallucinations are typical of Sleep Paralysis (like hearing voices, pressure on chest, sensing/ seeing a presence) however, if they are the same each time... then they might mean something... a kind of personification of your subconscious fears.

Hopefully this helps you out...

Best of luck!