Sometimes I feel like I can't wake up?

Question

Like I'm sleeping and then I'm trying to wake up, but I can't. I even find myself thinking I'm awake, but I'm still sleeping. When I try to get up I just can't move. Its really weird and kind of scary. Anyone know anything about this or had the same experience?

Answer 1

This is called Sleep Paralysis. It's when your eyes wake up and your body is still in the REM state of sleep...your brain kind of stays in a state in between the two. Your eyes can mostly see, your brain can mostly think, but your body is stuck in something similar to the state of paralysis that naturally accompanies REM sleep.

My roommate in college used to get sleep paralysis, and it was terrifying for her. Some people get scary hallucinations, like an object in the room suddenly morphing into something not-so-nice. She used to see our stuffed animals turn into fanged, horned, scary demon things. Not to scare you or anything, though. Some people's SP hallucinations are pleasant, too.

There are medications for it, depending on how often this happens to you. It can also be associated with narcolepsy and some other sleep disorders, too. If it happens particularly often, you may consider seeing a sleep specialist or a neurologist about it.  

Answer 2

Same here esp. after I have took antipsychotic med for sleep (off lable) use. But i have to make sure what you meant by "When I try to get up I just can't move". You really can't move physically or you are still in the dream and you THOUGHT you have already waken up...I once woke up and went to pee, while I was sitting on the toilet bowl, I still could see the dream, cars, people, trees, road...yea, I know, kinda scary....I am not sure but that time I was sure I didn't flush LOL as I wanted to complete that dream.

Answer 3

sleep paralysis