What is Sleep Paralysis?

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  • Written By: Mary McMahon
  • Edited By: O. Wallace
  • Last Modified Date: 26 December 2016
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Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by brief periods of paralysis as the patient falls to sleep or wakes up. It is usually associated with other sleep disorders, rather than appearing on its own, and since it is often accompanied by hallucinations, it can sometimes be very frightening for patients. People often feel what they describe as a presence in the room when they experience the condition, and many cultures have complex folklore surrounding it.

This disorder is especially common in people who experience narcolepsy, but it is also associated with lack of sleep, poor sleeping conditions, stress, and other sleep problems. On its own, the paralysis is not inherently harmful, although it can be scary, and it can also be a sign of a more serious problem that needs to be addressed. Repeated episodes, especially if accompanied by terrifying hallucinations, should be reported to a medical professional.

When someone experiences sleep paralysis, the body feels heavy and immovable, and the patient may feel like he or she cannot speak. The condition is actually very similar to REM atonia, a natural form of paralysis that sets in during the deep stages of REM sleep to keep the body from acting out the movements experienced in dreams. This condition, however, occurs at the edges of REM sleep, rather than in the most intense part.


Paralysis episodes can last a few seconds to several minutes. Sometimes, external stimuli, such as a voice or touch, can pull someone out of it, and in other cases, the patient may be unreachable. Sleep paralysis occurs most often when people sleep on their backs and, in some cultures, it is known as the “Old Hag,” in reference to the idea that it is caused by an old hag sitting on the patient's chest.

Some people have suggested that this disorder might be the rational explanation behind myths of alien abductions, succubi, vampires, and other malevolent nighttime visitors. Since the hallucinations associated with this problem can be extremely vivid and often very strange, people with active imaginations might have had trouble understanding that the events “experienced” did not actually happen.

Sometimes, sleep paralysis can be addressed with the use of prescription drugs. It can also be beneficial to make adjustments to a sleep routine and to probe into the root causes of the problem to see if those can be treated to eliminate the issue. Other people take a different approach, using psychology in an attempt to control the hallucinations, turning the paralysis into an interesting, rather than frightening, experience.


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Post 116

Try saying "bismillah" upon closing any door or windows of your room before you go to sleep for all those suffering from that condition. Try it.

Post 115

Okay, I'm not sure if this is sleep paralysis or not, but I'll be lying in bed half-awake (waking from sleep) and I can see, but I can't move at all. It lasts for a few minutes. It's weird.

Post 113

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has these. I am an insomniac and almost every time I manage to fall asleep, I'll be paralyzed. It's horrifying, especially since I can hear it coming as well. It sounds like a deafening mix of TV static, the white noise you hear when it's silent, and a sound similar to screeching. As I hear this noise, I can feel my body in the real world but can't access it from my dream world, and I always try to push at my skin in order to make myself move. People have told me to try and stay calm when sleep paralysis (and especially the ringing noise) happens, but I can't help

but to fight it.

My "demon", "hallucination", or whatever it really is is around 6'2, which, to a 16 year old at 5'2, is pretty tall. I don't really know how to describe him (I think it's a him). Everything about him is blurred, almost as though he is a glitch, and from my descriptions people say that he is like slenderman without the suit and tentacles, but I have never seen slenderman, so I can neither confirm nor deny this. Usually it will breathe onto my feet, sit on my legs or chest and tower over me, or lie next to me in bed (all while whispering in a strange language I feel like I should understand but I don't), but sometimes it will claw at my legs or face and lean sickeningly close to breathe on my defenseless neck.

I already have a difficult time going to sleep -- as I said, I have insomnia -- but from this now I don't want to go to sleep. I know how badly my body needs sleep when it can get it, but I'm too scared to actually go to bed now.

Usually when this happens I am lying on my back. I have a completely different scenario when lying on my stomach (like being strangled while someone whispers in my ear). I'm going to try sleeping on my side to see if that helps anything. I'm glad I'm not going insane.

Post 112

I just recently experienced a sleeping paralysis. It's been happening for two weeks straight. I'm only 18 and I'm thinking to myself how is this happening to me. I am pretty scared.

It's the same thing over and over. It doesn’t matter how I sleep; I get it anyway. It's even scarier because, besides the fact that I can’t move or yell for help, I feel someone dragging me down. Like actually dragging me from my bed to the floor. I get so scared I wake up and only sleep two hours before I get up and get ready for school.

I know it’s not healthy for me, especially if I’m going to school. But I get so scared thinking that I might die in my sleep. I want to know how I can stop this. I’ve never been so scared until I started having SP.

Post 111

I've been having "SP" for some years now I'm 26. I get them when I'm alone in my room. I got it last night for an hour straight! It starts off with a loud static noise and immediately my body freezes and I can't move. I hear noises and whispers some times it sounds like multiple voices. It's extremely frightening. The worse part of last night was that it kept happening and at one point I started a prayer. The minute I did that, the static went up 20x louder I couldn't hear my prayer. It was extremely scary.

I know people say it's hallucinations, but the minute my husband came home from work (around 3 a.m.) it stopped

. Like I've said before I have this constantly happen to me when I'm alone but the minute I bring my daughter into the room or my husband comes home it goes away. I would think it would continue if it was all in the mind. That's the only thing that puzzles me and that has me thinking it's more than what "doctors"/"experts" call it. Let me know if you know anything or had this happen to you or cures this issue.
Post 110

I had an episode last night. I am 29 and relatively healthy and while I do believe in God or a God like figure, I am definitely not a religious fanatic. I don't think God had anything to do with what happened to me but I need to know I am not crazy.

I fell asleep late last night and first began dreaming about watching scenes on TV about three different men who had been operated on and left with a type of implant that was causing them to see things and drove them insane. It couldn't have been much more time after that, I heard a voice, electronic sounding. It said, You are going to die tonight. I said

"The hell I am" and tried to get up, but I couldn't. I tried to force myself to punch the wall, I tried to scream and nothing.

I could feel like my knee was moving, so I tried to knee my fiancé who was sleeping next to me but she was too far. Somehow --I can't explain -- I was able to force myself out of it. I looked around the room, but didn't see any hooded figures, no characters, animal heads or little creatures. All I saw was my dark bedroom. What made it worse was I could see my fiancé's face across from mine and I keep hearing everyone talking about lying on their back or side, but I was on my stomach. I need to know I am not going crazy. I'm logical but what happened last night feels anything but.

Post 109

Everyone, these are demon attacks and happen to everyone around the world. Do your research carefully. Repent and give your life to God through Jesus Christ our Savior. I am not crazy and I know evil when I feel it and have seen it. Do your research, and look up videos from others like yourself.

Post 108

I had a sleep paralysis episode last night. I have had them before and they are scary. I’m a practicing Christian, so I tend to think they are a spiritual attack. I can feel one coming on. I start hearing a fizzing noise like static electricity, very loud.

I had them also before I accepted Jesus. I pray when I have them. I wasn’t on my back, though. I was on my front. I didn't see anything; I just felt the pressure of something pushing me into the bed. It felt like it was shoving my head into pillow. I have heard satanic voices before. It’s very scary, however, the power is in the name of Jesus.

There is no

other it does tend to stop when I pray. However, to those people who say they have found God and became Christians, you cannot do as you were doing before, like living in sin. Becoming a Christian is a life change in being obedient to Christ. You will get attacked spiritually and even by others.

As for these sleep paralysis episodes, I don't focus on them. I refuse to give the enemy any credit. He wants to instill fear, but I have Jesus, who beat death at the cross.

Post 107

The worst one I've had was in daylight and I was taking a nap. I heard a deep, loud voice saying my name in my ear. It woke me up and as I woke up, saw a dark caped figure and heard loud footsteps running out of the room, which I could see.

I've heard of the caped figure making a regular appearance in lucid dreams (sleep paralysis). I've had others were I see things in my room and I'm half asleep half awake. Once there was a dead rabbit head sitting on my bedside table. Also, the feeling of someone pressing on my chest so I never go to sleep on my back and it also happens when I

sleep on my right side so I always try to sleep on my left.

Last night, I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep and like you all say, at 3 a.m. I dreamed I was in a cemetery, but I got awakened by wind in my ear and around blowing over my head in my bedroom (not on the dream, it felt for real). It's a horrible experience, and so freaky because it feels like you are awake when these things are happening.

Post 106

I just had it happen just now and I'm preety freaked out and don't want to go to sleep. I was layering there listening to relaxing music and soon was just on the brink of sleep when I heard weird sound that sounded like they were coming from around my house. Opened my eyes but found it impossible to move. Soon I saw in the corner of my room this mysterious looking man whom had a face that sort-of-kind of resembled that picture from that creepy pasta Jeff the Killer. He started to approach me but then went away so yeah, I don't want to sleep right now.

Post 103

I've experienced it many times as well. The first time, I was 17, "asleep" in bed facing my small television. It occurred to me my black and white TV should not be in color, and suddenly, it wasn't, and I found myself paralyzed, unable to even move my eyes away from the screen. I heard my door open, and someone deliberately walked in and around, avoiding my unmovable field of vision, crawled onto my bed behind my helpless self, pressed heavily into my back, and breathed heavy on my neck. I struggled to snap out of it, and when I did, I thought I'd experienced a visit by darkish spirit of some kind (pre-Internet).

The same experience happened a number

of times. Was it a dark spirit? Only if it later pulled the same crap as a burglar, a landlord angry about my messy apartment, a squid creature (never saw it, so I don't know how I know that), and last night a lifetime close friend who started ignoring all communication from this summer (real) and wouldn't tell me why (in paralysis). Of worthy note, two other loved ones disclosed terrible news health news this week. All in times of great stress and erratic sleep, and the "unwanted guest" tends pretty symbolic of what of the stressor is in my life, or sometimes, a recent creepy movie.

It occurs around times I already feel at risk panic attacks. Do I think this is otherworldly? No. It is clearly tied to my sleep disorder, and it stinks.

I taught myself to break out of it a long time ago by rapidly forcing my screams until they break through the paralysis and wake me up. It works on nightmares too, sometimes, when I figure out that I am dreaming. I guess some control is better than none, but I reiterate. It stinks. And it leaves me with a great sense of uneasiness for a day or two that I can't shake.

Post 102

I had episodes of SP before, and they are not fun. I saw the classic dark figure at the end of my bed, and my body felt as if it was taken over. When I was 15 it got so bad that I was dead and everyone would see me as such, even if I was screaming inside. So yes, pretty spooky.

Now that I'm older and have studied the phenomena, I can say that not all cases of SP are medically explainable. I investigated many cases that have these characteristics, and I learned to keep an open mind. Most of the people who contact me experience true SP, but the remaining 30 percent are having a true spiritual event

. We have video and auditory evidence, accompanied by scratches or bruises that resemble fingers (not of a medical nature).

I hope this helps because not everything can be explain by doctors, but make sure that you first consult a physician. Have a clean bill of health or at least regarding this matter. If that's not the case, contact a paranormal investigator or get a small recorder, also called an EVP, and a night vision or full spectrum camera. Thankfully, you won't experience sleep paralysis every night, but when you do, you'll have a better understanding of what's going on.

In the majority of cases investigated by my team, we found that 70 percent were just medically explainable SP, but the remaining 30 percent were so much more than that.

Always seek the advice of a doctor, no matter how crazy your symptoms sound. Your health is an important factor that any PI and docs must keep in consideration. Thanks for reading this and I really hope it was helpful.

Post 101

Out of respect for you and your spells I must make this testimony known to all. I've been to other spell casters and psychic readers before, but in my opinion you are the best. I just wished I came to you earlier, but hey I got the best at last and that is the great Dr Robinson. My ex was gone for a year and I went everywhere and other spell casters for help but no result until my friend introduce me to Dr. Robinson. After the Love Spell and Break Up Spell was done I finally gotten calls from her out of no where within 12 hours. she and the other guy broke up and we are going on a vacation together... Thanks and I love you for helping me. To everyone who is looking for a real spell caster contact Dr. Robinson spiritualpowersofnature gmail com and he will help you..........Williams

Post 100

I am no religious nutcase, but a normal chap. But I can tell you that this has nothing to do with thyroid/ stress problems or hallucinations. You will all discover (most of you when you are dead) that there is something after death?

And this sleep paralysis is a spirit -- sometimes good sometimes bad, but it is definitely spiritual and not imaginary. I feel sad for these people who are guessing that millions of people over the years across the world are hallucinating with what has occurred in their bedrooms. I've been there and seen and felt them. I'm no alcoholic or drug abuser or lunatic. It took me a few years of these experiences to understand what was really happening to me and seeing is believing to realize just what it is! You'll all find out for yourselves, eventually. -- Jonathan G

Post 99

This has occurred to me and the thing is, is I've seen the same oh lets call it apparition on top of me twice on different nights. It is about to my chin tall and I'm 5'7. It curses at me in a rapid demonic voice. It's horrible and I feel it is an evil spirit. The crazy thing is I've never believed in ghosts or spirits but the last four months I'd say I feel different. I'm scared and started reading my bible and like one of you said, the closer I become to God the worse things are getting -- how strange.

I will continue reading and praying, but I think there are different types of SP, and this

is more than likely and evil spirit. I also am experiencing pulling and pushing every night as I'm trying to sleep last night I saw indentations on my arms from squeezing and I wish my fiance would believe me because I'm scared and feel alone!
Post 98

I have probably experienced sleep paralysis a few times, but this one was as realistic as it got.

I was sleeping in my bed, and like everyone else, I woke up because I heard this noise in my ear. I couldn't really remember it or what it was like, but it was annoying me. I tried to move but couldn't, and I was barely able to open my eyes. I could hear murmuring and voices, and I heard a girl cry out, "Help me."

Now by this point, my heart was racing fast, and I had no idea what to do taking in the fact that I'm not a religious type of person. I then tried to move my hand

. I could still see my room from the darkness but I couldn't see anything with me. I then heard the voices in the background pop up and become clear and I heard a woman's voice say, "She's leaving, she's going back, what do we do?" And after about a second I felt someone grab my ankle and I saw that I was being dragged to my closet. That's when I finally woke up, and I felt as if there was a lump in my throat but it disappeared as soon as I was gasping for air. It was such a horrible and creepy experience.
Post 97

But G-d, see I'm Jewish and have asked G-d for help by saying "In God's name".

Post 96

I have had episodes of SP before, but just experienced another one last night. It occurred in the early morning between 6-7 a.m. In that episode, I saw the dark figure like everyone else has and it was writhing around the edges of my bed. I felt a tingling sensation on underarm/breast area as if I was being held down.

I saw myself getting free for just a brief moment and ran into my half bathroom to evade the figure but felt cornered as it would not move from the doorway. It was the strongest feeling of terror and dread. But I then proclaimed/shouted "In Jesus' name..." and repeated this several times, and only then I immediately awoke with

a great sense of relief and peace.

I am a Christian but I will be honest that I fall through the faith at times. It is truth that these dark entities will flee at the name of Christ. He is the Prince of Peace!

Post 95

These episodes everyone keeps attributing to paranormal experiences are hallucinations. They are not real; they are not actually happening. They may be very vivid, and seem real, but they are just hallucinations. Yes, they are frightening. Due to the paralysis, your body goes into a hyper-vigilant mode, where it interprets everything as a threat, which is why you get these feelings. The hallucinations just increase the body's reaction while in this mode.

There is nothing there and nothing is actually touching you.

It helps mentally if you can realize what is going on. The experience is easier to break when you figure out what is actually occurring.

Post 94

So I've just been reading about SP. I had a really strange experience this morning, my first actually. I was sleeping, my arms above my head, I don't remember dreaming about anything, but I felt someone tickling my armpits. It sounds weird I know. I thought it was my aunt trying to be funny, however when I was waking up, I couldn't move to stop whatever it was. I couldn't open my eyes, but I ended up moving my head, and I'm pretty sure I heard something run away.

I got up and immediately searched the house for my aunt, but no one was home. She was at work and so was my grandad. I've seen something flash past my eyes but that's it. I can't explain what has just happened. I'm really scared now knowing that no one is home, and I've been touched while I've slept.

Post 93

This is my first time writing on one of these and I'm pretty shaken up by what I've just experienced, so any info and kind advice would be much appreciated!

My sleep paralysis happened two nights ago, sometime between 3-4 a.m. I suddenly awoke but (like many of you have experienced), I simply could not move my body or eyes, but could hear my boyfriend (who was lying next to me) saying evil, violent, murderous things at a rapid speed. I tried my hardest to move my body, but it was fully weighed down and all I wanted to do was soothe my boyfriend. The violent words kept spitting out of his mouth for a good minute or

so. It felt like he was possessed. But like I said, I couldn't move at all to help him.

He felt me stir and shushed me and continued on talking this demonic dialogue to himself. Gradually, I was able to move my hand and I held his tight and started praying to the Lord Jesus. He let go almost immediately and told me not to hold it so hard. By now he'd stopped talking because he was aware I was awake. But just when I started to fall back asleep again, I had the sleep paralysis again, and he began violently talking aloud again. It was extremely disturbing. I somehow managed to place my hand on his heart and just prayed non-stop until he calmed and fell asleep.

The next day, we were both acting weird around each other and he mentioned how he'd had a bad sleep. I simply told him not to stress and sent him off to work. Later that night, however, I decided to bring the whole ordeal up as I was and am still very disturbed by it. When I did, he claimed to have absolutely no recollection of saying such evil stuff, which confused me because he seemed completely awake at the time. I was frightened as I genuinely believed he was talking to himself and planning to kill someone. I should mention at this point my boyfriend suffers from severe anxiety, and I from depression (although mine seems more under control). He's explained to me when he’s awake at how angry he feels at life and sometimes feels as though there is something evil inside of him. Paradoxically, four months ago I found Christ again and ever since am now blessed to experience being very, very close to Christ and the transcendent world. I wouldn't say I'm psychic at all, but can enter a spiritual reality that is not earthly. (Most of the time this is through prayer. I can only be describe it as a sudden welling up of energy inside of my belly that can happen at any time).

After reading these posts and this website, it has given me food for thought. Before I genuinely felt it was my boyfriend simply having a mental health breakdown in the middle of the night (talking rapid violent stuff to himself) and genuinely planning to kill someone. However, after reading these posts, I understand that this could have perhaps been me connecting with him, possibly telepathically -- maybe something more spiritual/demonic?

I'm really sorry for the ridiculously long post, but I'm extremely scared. I know I have the Lord with me and the Holy Spirit inside of me and I have been praying over it ever since, but I do not have a good feeling about tonight. My instincts are telling me he might act out his plan to kill and I'm powerless to stop it.

Many, many thanks for taking the time to read this. Any advice or just general thoughts on what I've experienced would be much appreciated. God bless.

Post 91

I used to have this a lot where I would just being lying in my bed in some strange house and would feel like there was a spirit in the room and that stopped happening for a long time until last night. I could have swore I was still awake but I couldn't move and I felt a severe rumbling in my heart and out of nowhere my mind said, "Demon, get out of me!" and I heard and nasty growling/snarling and instantly I was able to open my eyes and for some odd reason I was barely afraid.

Post 90

The last anon, you need to be excorcised. The devil is in you and telling you about these things. The jinns are probably christian. Try listening to some ruqya files and you should react.

Post 89

This you are going to find very interesting. A few years ago I go baptized. Since then, I pray every night and over the last three years, my life has changed for the better! I used to be very wild, but this is where it gets weird.

I'm a psychic medium. Yes, you may not believe in this and trust me, I did not want this to happen. Do you think I enjoy seeing the future or actually talking to dead people? When I have sleep paralysis, I too pray and call out to God or Jesus and yes, it always goes away. I've been able to see spirits for as long as I can remember, and as I get

older it becomes stronger. I feel completely crazy.

I talk to God every day and I ask him for guidance and if I'm supposed to be able to do this and for his help. The more I believe, the more this all happens! Years ago, on a psychic kids website I posted a blog and now I help people all over the world. I have so many emails now I cannot keep up and since I have done this over the last few years the more this sleep paralysis happens.

In writing this blog, I'm basically talking out loud and explaining, reasoning out what's going on. The stronger my love for God is, the more this happens, the more I see spirits and am able to talk to them during the time I'm awake, the more this happens. The more I believe in God, the more psychic I am. This doesn't make sense! Yes, it can get very, very scary. Even though I try to help others, sometimes I too need help.

Post 88

Lol nobody will believe me, but it's OK because anon posts are for this reason, right? Long story short, I passed out at an ex girlfriends house over last summer. I have had sleep paralysis before and have practised snapping out of it by forcefully raising my head until I broke back through the "barrier" into being awakened. So... I'm having it again, and I do my standard procedure and this time I can't... I got really mad. Enraged... I was so pissed off omg, I wake up and immediately stand up out of bed only to see FIVE little guys (I think you know who I mean) and one taller one but very feeble seeming... And they all were

looking pretty shocked to see me fully functional. I started towards them and they fled into the bathroom opposite end of room? They disappeared into the wall and I managed to punch one of them in the back of the head, hard enough I felt a real physical feeling of impact, but the skull was soft and easy to damage. It escaped regardless and I felt like I woke up again, this time I was 100% conscious and standing in the bathroom facing the wall they retreated into. Pansies...
Post 86

I experienced SP last night. My last experience was at a long long time (a good 5-10 years?). I was sleeping on my back for a couple of minutes while and suddenly heard a 'Sorry' whispered into my left ear, and my ear turned hot. Stunned, I kept my eyes closed and since I couldn't move at all or say anything. I kept reciting bible verses and singing songs of God for a good five minutes, and eventually turned on my side. But I was pretty shaken and took what seemed like an hour, to drift back into dream land.

But one thing I don't get, is why the voice said, "Sorry."

Post 85

I just had it for the first time. I feel bad for everyone who's had bad experiences but glad that I'm not the only one! I thought I was going crazy as it was one of the scariest things that's ever happened to me! I woke up with my eyes feeling glued shut and there was like a demonic female voice singing (very loudly) the mockingbird lullaby in my ear. I tried to move and scream the voice was so evil (but obviously couldn't do either). Finally, I managed to get a little whimper out and it stopped.

I opened my eyes and saw my dog staring at me in a very strange way. If it is spiritual, that's interesting because it's not the only kind of paranormal experience I've had in this house.

Post 84

I think this is mostly physiological. I have had a few episodes but they seem to only occur when I am deep thinking the coding or the how to create a script of a website I am working on.

I can rule out the supernatural in my last experience, as I eventually snapped out of it and woke without disturbing either my partner or dog (so assuming animals are able to sense these things, the dog was not bothered by it).

My experience consisted of knowing I was lying in my bed, I could not move nor speak, the room seemed to be filled with voices (non I recognized) and I could not understand the conversations only odd words (despite

being sure the language spoken was of my mother tongue - English). I remember focusing on the voices and then feeling like I was really heavy and being dragged by my shoulders or head through my bedpost.

The whole thing was a horrible experience and I woke up scared and unsettled. Eventually, I got back to sleep, but it took a while and a comedy DVD to settle my nerves and self.

Post 83

I've experienced my most recent episode last night. Call it what you like. Sleep paralysis is a nice medical term, but for me, it's more like a spiritual attack. This happened to me in the early hours of the morning. The worst experience was one afternoon when I was taking a nap. I was lying on my right side with my hand under the pillow. Suddenly, I felt a pressure on the blanket above my elbow, as if a cat had gently jumped on my bed (I have no cats). It then started to make a noise like a cat snarling/growling before it screams.

I couldn't open my eyes, but I felt like if I did I would see it

. It was that close to my face. My eyelids were fluttering rapidly, my heart was racing, I was completely paralyzed, my tongue felt thick and with much difficulty, I finally was able to say, "Jesus save me." Right then and there, the episode ceased.

The reason why I believe it is a spiritual attack is because it only happens when I attempt a closer walk with God, when I read the scriptures, when I talk about God, I know this because when I stray, it never happens.

Therefore, I encourage all who experience this attack to arm yourself with the scriptures, like Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6:10. Remember Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God and walk in the authority of the Most High."

Post 81

By the way, you need to read the verse just before sleeping. SP is caused by jinns and even in the middle of an attack, you can read the verse and it will let go straight away. But prevention is better than cure so read it 11 times before sleeping. If you do not feel comfortable reading from the Koran because you're not a Muslim, then read the Koran first and if you still do not agree with it, then you're on your own, I'm afraid! Jinn possession can be caused by various incidents such as playing the ouija board, summoning spirits, behaving very inappropriately, unknowingly causing harm to them like walking on them, etc.

Post 79

I'm only writing this to help others as I know how awful SP is. I used to have this every single night and sometimes several times a night! I thought it was normal until a few years ago. I then read some 'facts' about it from the medical point of view and thought it was my mind or body reacting weirdly.

Sometimes, it was accompanied by various frightening dreams. I read about jinns and Islam and was told to read a verse called 'the verse of the throne' 11x from the Koran (verse 2:225) by a Muslim friend - which I was very sceptical about, but after reading the translation I thought it sounded pretty OK and to my surprise it stopped. If I forget to read it, it happens again! Please try it. Even if you don't think it will work, it does! Needless to say, I have lost faith in the 'medical' view of sleep paralysis.

Post 77

Reading these posts makes me want to cry for some reason. I am very scared. The first time this happened to me was within the last month or so. I was lying in bed and suddenly my heart felt like it was stopping. My whole body had an almost tingling sensation going through it and I couldn't breathe. My eyes were open but not focused on anything.

I tried to move, but I couldn't move at all. I thought I was having a heart attack. I suddenly became extremely paranoid. I felt like someone was in my apartment. Someone bad who wanted to hurt me. I was listening for sounds, but there were none. I just felt like someone was


Needless to say, I tried to scream, but nothing came out. All of a sudden, I snapped out of it and could move again. It is one of the scariest things that I have ever experienced. Since then, it has happened to me a few more times. Last night it happened again. This time though, every time I tried to go back to sleep, it happened again. I am so afraid that I don't even want to go back to sleep.

I have been afraid that there is something wrong with me. I don't know what to do.

Post 76

Now I understand what happened to me. I could logically think. I remember it was like it was reality, but the scariest part is that there was someone else in the room, and I did not see it. Something made me jump out of my physical body and sit on the floor behind my bed, moaning from fear.

I was trying hard to get back into my body. After a while, I appeared again inside my physical body, and tried to open my eyes to wake up. I even remember my physical eyelids moving (I nearly woke up), but all of a sudden, unwillingly, I appeared behind my bed again. It repeated a few times before I woke up in absolute horror.

Post 75

Are these things common with others: sleeping alone; watching too many movies; spending time alone in one's room?

I think this is helpful in finding out which type of people suffer from sleep paralysis.

Post 72

I too have experienced SP. I have had the common feeling of someone standing in the room and not being able to move. But the other night I had the feeling of floating very fast backward crashing through walls.I could see myself floating out of the corner of my eye. I was breathing rapidly and started asking for forgiveness because I thought I would die. I woke with the feeling that it was evil.

Post 71

I have had sleep paralysis a number of times during my life. It doesn't occur as often now (not much has changed since when I had them) but I began to notice something strange. I leave my PC on most nights and the PC is relatively quiet. While I am awake, I begin to hear this noise which becomes more high pitched, and is coming from the direction of the PC. If I do nothing, then it normally leads to a dream (most often a bad dream or sleep paralysis). However, if I react by opening my eyes it goes away.

Last night I was sort of in a half awake state. I could fully move but the dream wasn't

clear; it was more to do with hearing the dream than actually visualising it, if that makes sense. It was like I was just about to dream about that subject and the noise occurred started to go high pitch again. At this point, I immediately turned and it went away, but my heart bpm had increased significantly.

With regards to the PC, I have tried turning it off and as far as I am aware, I don't hear that sound. I just wanted to know if anyone has had this sort of experience., or if there's an explanation such as my mind linking that noise to triggering a dream?

On a side note, prior to sleep paralysis, I have also heard a noise on a number of occasions which is quite heavy and sort of pops my ears.

I have not had sleep paralysis for maybe four or five months, and when I had episodes, they were maybe spaced out by a few weeks at least. However, these sounds I hear are much more frequent and I feel I would be having sleep paralysis more often if I stopped reacting to them when they occur.

Post 70

Astral catalepsy is being consciously aware you are exiting your body. The pressure is the energy, and so are the extremely loud sounds of something similar to tinfoil rattling or a roaring noise.

Being paralyzed (I've learned though consciously going into that "trance state" --alpha waves -- by concentrating on my breathing while lying back, eyes closed) isn't "your body paralyzing itself so your body doesn't act out dreams". That is absolute nonsense. If this were true so many people wouldn't sleep walk, talk, clench teeth, and so on. The paralysis is actually caused by your conscious shifting from physical to mental. When this happens, most people become frightened as I did. Personally, I was terrified and tried to move my

body. I tried to scream and a distorted sound came out. I kept trying to move for several seconds then the loud roaring and pressure on top of my body finally stopped.

Now after practicing entering this trance state for many years, I no longer am afraid when it happens, I concentrate on my breath, breathing slow and deep. Imagine moving an arm or feel as though you are becoming lighter and floating upward. Nothing is physical in this "state." It is absolutely mental, so you must practice moving mentally. If you do start to move, it may be very slow or like someone commented above, very fast. Once out of your body (yes, an actual out-of-body experience), you may look around, may notice you are in your own home, or somewhere your brain has created. Everything is mental, so this means if you think of something to appear it will, and if you're worried about something it will play out, just like a dream. With practice, you can walk around your home or anywhere pretty much. You can walk through walls, objects, swim underwater without breathing, maintain consciousness during dreams, control dreams, and fly anywhere in the universe.

Next time this "sleep paralysis" comes on just remember, don't be afraid, concentrate on your breathing and imagine floating upward. Have fun with this; it is nothing to fear I promise. Do a little more research on astral projection, out of body experience, near death experience, astral double, etheric body and states of consciousness. Have fun!

Post 69

Last night I had this sleep paralysis or whatever it was. I felt like I was dead at first. And then I was able to fly. It was like someone called my name and said come and I was able to move within a second, a very,very far distance and I felt I was moving. And then, I was dropped as fast. And for some reason I thought that I must be in hell.

It was very dark and I couldn't see anything. Then in my mind, I said, "God save and protect" and then I woke up, Like many of you, I was feeling heavy and couldn't talk or move. And I said it again and woke up. I

don't think it only has to do with our bodies. We are living souls and it does have to do with spirits. Plus, I read through lots of comments and It seem like it disappears only when you call in Jesus' or God's name,

I have had this before, But this time I remembered this experience in more detail.

Post 68

Does anybody ever feel insane acceleration? I've been in very fast cars, planes, and boats yet I've never experienced the acceleration I get when I "think" I'm having sleep paralysis. Only it doesn't seem like the experiences listed here match what's going on with me.

The past three months I've been having dreams that are extremely colorful and vivid and many times they are lucid as well. During these very vivid dreams, I somehow always notice lights in the sky and a break in the clouds. One night it was actually a portal with crafts surrounding it.

Last night, it was lights forming the constellation of the Pleiades and then a very bright light at the center of the cluster

illuminated the clouds. At that exact moment, I felt an adrenaline type tingling rush that started at the top/back of my head and instantly filled my whole body.

While still dreaming, I was accelerated extremely quickly high above the trees and my surrounding area was all visible. A clam and gentle voice said, "Don't worry and stay calm; you asked to remember and this is what you can handle." The acceleration gently let me back down into my bed and I woke up very softly still feeling the constant vibration across my body. My limbs were very loose and relaxed and I felt a peaceful presence was watching over my house.

Does this sound like an adventure in SP or was I actually abducted by aliens? I have spent many nights meditating and stargazing asking my celestial family to take me if they ever needed to for tests/modifications/whatever. Is this maybe their response? I've never felt anything like these experiences before in my life and I have no other sleep issues that I'm aware of. I live a peaceful and low stress life and get plenty of restful sleep. Am I just crazy?

Post 67

I was nine years old, and I had slept in the very back room. One night, about 4:15, I heard a little

girl's voice. I tried to turn and look, but I couldn't move at all. I stayed completely still. I couldn't call for my mom, my throat was dry, and then, I could move. I scanned the room with my eyes, but couldn't see anything. I got up, got some water, and went back to bed. When I awoke, I was on the couch. I don't know how I got there, so I asked my mom and dad, and they said they had no clue.

A couple of days later, I told my mom what happened. She said it

was sleep paralysis, but I knew something was not right at all. Sometimes I wake up in weird places. Once, I woke up, kneeling next to my bed, face flat on the bed, hands behind my back. I don't remember having a dream that night. I'm thinking about getting baptized because strange things still happen to me.
Post 66

I am also glad I found this site. This night I felt the presence of something, as I felt before. But this time it pulled my legs up against the ceiling. And it was all so vivid. I read above about a guy starting crying, and I also nearly did.

It came down to praying. I kept my hands together and said that I believe in God, and finally it went away. The weird thing here is, I don't believe in Christianity or any religion. I might believe in the force we live within, but not anything else. So this is freaking me out, seriously!

Post 65

I'm 15 and I had sleep paralysis. I had been lying in my bed looking at my chair. I was about to roll over and say, "Why can't I get to sleep?" Then I realized I couldn't move or talk. The covers around me came in with enormous pressure and for a while I couldn't breathe. Then I felt a breath on my ear it said "get out!" And "Die" and such.

Finally, I was able to move and ran to my living room to find strange things and realized I was dreaming, but it scared me so bad because I had been looking at my chair that entire time, awake and asleep.

Post 64

I’m glad I found this site. I’ve actually had many experiences with “sleep paralysis”. And I have to tell you, I am a very logical thinker and do my best to search for the truth in everything. My personal opinion is that this is something spiritual and not just physical or psychological.

The first time I experienced this was when I began learning about Christianity. One night, while I was sleeping, I felt a presence sit on my bed and the bed literally sank as when someone sits on it. I tried opening my eyes and look but I couldn’t. I was totally paralyzed but my body began to vibrate at an incredible speed. All of a sudden, I felt

that presence get on top of me and its face began to breathe on my face and grunt, as a wolf would do as it would get ready for a confrontation. It was so real, and while I felt fear try to come over me, I also felt courage arising from inside of me. I did my best to open my eyes and move so that I could fight it but it was impossible. I was completely paralyzed. I kept trying to speak and I couldn’t do that either. So I began to speak in my mind and all I could think of saying was “I know you can’t do anything to me unless you’ve been given authority. And I know you do not have that authority. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!” I kept saying this in my mind until finally the words came out of my mouth and I screamed “In the name of Jesus!” I opened my eyes and that “presence” disappeared. I did not see anything but I clearly felt when “something” left the room. This happened a few more times but not at the same level of intensity.

I am confident that I will overcome this. I get the feeling that many of you have been chosen for something great in life and the force of evil is trying to stop it. You may not believe in Christianity, the Bible, or Jesus. Maybe you’re just as skeptical as I once was (believe me, I still have questions and doubts about many things). But there is something about the name “Jesus” that oozes with power to overcome evil (by the way, if you do the research, the original pronunciation of the name in Aramaic is Jo-shoo-a or Joshua).

Read the book of Job in the Bible and you will understand what I meant when I said that the evil one has no authority to harm you unless he is given it for a specified purpose which ultimately leads to your victory. Let’s keep each other in prayer. Do not fear. You are privileged to experience something that will ultimately strengthen your faith.

Post 63

The first time it happened to me, I was 15 and I just couldn't talk or move for like a minute. It didn't happen again until I was 20, but this time I hallucinated and heard noises.

Next time it happened every night for a week when I was 24. I had that feeling of dread and something malevolent in the room along with the hallucinations. I am 43 now but have learned to control them to some point. I usually know if I am likely to have one before going to bed. As soon I feel one coming on, I take control of it and try to hallucinate what I want or I just decide to wake up.


way I took control of it was to just make myself the boss. So if you're seeing that ghost or whatever you hallucinate, just fight it. In mine, I just hallucinated that I got up and hit it with my fists. It worked for me and I no longer have that malevolent evil feeling when I have these episodes. I hope this helps someone.
Post 62

I've had sleep paralysis a lot where I can't move or make any sound but last night I saw something! I was in bed with my boyfriend and had woken from a horrid dream. I soon realized i couldn't move, then the door opened and a young man walked in and spoke to me and said "are you all right?" He walked around the bed and I finally could move! My eyes were wide open and I was awake (or partly).

Usually, my dreams are very lucid, but I can tell when I'm dreaming because the places are always so unrealistic, but this was my normal room! We have had some strange experiences in our new place but I'm not

sure if this is to do with the house or just my sleep paralysis gradually getting worse.

My dad has seen things too while he's had sleep paralysis like clowns, etc. I'm wondering if it could be because I'm highly suggestible or something. Whatever it was, it was awful, and although the man was pleasant it was out of my comfort zone!

Post 61

This only happens to me when I feel unprotected and am really exhausted. I get the feeling that something or someone is watching me. The more afraid you become the more intense it will be, so I try to concentrate to get my body moving. The sensation in my head behind my eyes (somewhere in the middle) feels like I'm sending signals but not getting a response.

What I feel/hear sounds like a mix between light hissing/deep buzzing and its soothing in a way but scary. I guess it's SP.

Post 60

@Post no. 2: I was with my girlfriend and we were both on the floor and watching TV (both awake) when I felt the presence. The top part of my body was lifted up into a sitting position and my head began shaking back and forth uncontrollably at a high rate of speed. My girlfriend started screaming and crying, wondering what was going on. This was the first time I experienced this outside of my house. I continued to have these episodes for several years at various locations.

I did not experience anything physical since the first time, but they have all been similar. At times I am awake and asleep in others. Each time, I feel as if the presence is attempting to take over me. It wasn't until I became a Christian that the episodes stopped and I did not experience them for several years. I truly believe that my experiences are demonic in nature.

Post 59

@anon138996: I thought I was experiencing something very similar to what a majority of the people have posted and wanted to believe it was some type of sleep disorder.

My experiences started after I used a Ouija board in high school. Soon after, I started feeling a presence that consisted of beasts roaring and swirling wind in the room. I would feel it descend and come on my body and the presence would now be in my head. I was unable to move or speak during this time.

I continued to experience this several times a month. It wasn't until I had a very unusual experience that I began to become truly frightened.

Post 58

It happens to me often but something is weird: when I am alone it lasts longer. But it never happens when people can see me sleep and sometimes it ends just when my friends walk in to wake me up.

Post 57

I don't know what to make of what I just experienced. I don't know if it's SP or not. My experience I just had right now is similar to what people are saying only not. It happened a little after 3 a.m. (a common theme apparently), and there was also wind, only it wasn't imaginary like what some people are describing. All during the day it was very windy with 50 mph winds and it has been windy all night, very loud I could hear it outside.

I was restless in bed about to accept the fact that I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight and then I felt an electric shock (a pleasant feeling) start in my head

and hit my whole body very quickly. My body became very heavy and relaxed, I couldn't feel my body except for my head, my body felt very small if that makes sense and I felt like I was floating above my body slowly getting further away. I didn't try to move my body because I didn't want the experience to end, but I wonder if I could have even moved it if I wanted to.

I just focused on my breathing and at one point I saw bright colorful images like galaxies and stars. I was afraid that I was going to die if I let myself get too far away from my body and this hesitance to get further away from my body kept me feeling a "short distance above my body" and then I sort of snapped out of it. But tears were coming from my eyes the whole time, my eyes were just barely open, not moving or blinking but steady streams of tears.

Post 56

I think I've experienced this twice. Both times it was when I went to sleep when I was extremely exhausted and then I had a scary dream, and I couldn't move! I tried to wake up, and I couldn't! I was terrified even though I was asleep because I couldn't wake up or even roll over.

Post 55

I woke up but couldn't move. I tried to scream for help but had no voice. So, I pleaded with my deceased father to ask God to let me stay here with my son. My heart was pounding through my chest.

This only happened once -- I felt like my soul was leaving my body -- but it sounds more like temporary paralysis. That's the only moment I've had yet where I thought it was the end.

Post 54

I have had sleep paralysis for about a year. I am 31 now, and it is horrible! It is recurrent for me and it has progressed.

I have a question for anyone here who might have experienced this. I get the sleep paralysis and while I am still paralyzed I get the feeling that I am convulsing and sometimes i get very nauseated. my husband has literally watched me during one night when I had 12 episodes in one night. He said I did not move or convulse at all! He only knows I've had an episode because I always wake up and call him.

Has anyone else ever had the feeling of convulsing during the episode? I have an EEG coming soon to make sure its not a seizure. Any info would be great!

Post 53

I have had this for about two years now. I couldn't understand what it was. I started thinking it was spirits, etc. I would fall asleep an wake up out being able to move and have to literally force my head up with all my strength. I'm very terrified at the same time but once I'm awake. I'm in.

I also see things like spiders coming at me and all sorts of things. I know I'm just hallucinating but its horrible. I'm glad I found this site and realize I'm not the only one.

I'm not that scared knowing thousands of people go through it and that it something you can overcome. I've actually gotten to use it because I get it nearly every night, that it just has become part of my sleep.

Post 52

I have had the same thing as everyone on here and pretty much experienced everything described from the age of about 11. I'm now almost 40. It took me a long time of fighting and struggling, and generally being scared to realize that the best way to deal with it was to just let go and relax.

The other way I used to deal with it was I would decide to see or imagine anything I wanted. This seemed to put a stop to it. I get it very rarely now, and when I do, I just relax and let go and don't try to fight it. I hope this helps. You don't have to suffer with it.

P.S. I've used all the other methods -- well, practically all the methods barring medicine to try to deal with it.

Post 51

I come across this site because I looked on a search engine. Just this morning, I suffered yet another strange sleep experience. It felt as if I were being firmly held down in bed, there was very loud disco music being played in my head and I couldn't move, but somehow, I had a feeling of euphoria. It made me very happy and relaxed and I didn't want the experience to end, but after a while, I wriggled my left foot to get me out of the dream.

I have had hundreds of these experiences, always different, including foreign opera singers and steam organ music in my head. When I wake up, my ears are ringing from the loud music.

Post 50

It is funny that so many of the accounts sound just like mine, including the 3 a.m.-ish, the ghosts and the wind! Wonder what the connections are?

Post 49

My name is Rob, and I am 36 years old. I have been experiencing sleep paralysis for about 25 years, since I was 11. In some months, episodes would occur only a few times, and in other months three to four times a week. It usually happens when I have taken a nap earlier in the day, or I drink a caffeinated beverage too late.

Last night, I had the scariest episode that I have ever experienced in my entire life of having them. It seemed that it took over an hour to wake up, and when I finally did wake up, my neck was sore from side to side from twitching and the electrical brain shocks were extreme. I

call them brain shocks because it feels like my brain is sending electrical shocks through my body. I think it is your brain trying to re-connect things. It scared me so bad that I actually started crying, and it really takes a lot to get me to that point. I hate these damn things, but I have to live with them. I guess I'll have to watch the lengths of my day naps, and nightly caffeine intake more closely.
Post 48

I had sleep paralysis when I was a kid. It was super scary being paralyzed thinking you're awake. I would hear a high pitched, continuous sound. That's how I knew it was coming on, and I was going into the paralysis phase.

I always thought I was a awake during the paralysis, until I had one episode where my dad was in the room going to kill me. That's when I found out I was only dreaming.

Anyway, I found out how to conquer it. Whenever it came on, I would accept it. I took the high pitch sound and turned it into a jet sound and pretended to be a jet and take off. I also challenged the monsters

that would appear during sleep paralysis, at full force. All this made it fun, to the point I wanted more of it. Then I realized how to bring on sleep paralysis at will.

The way I got sleep paralysis to come on is by taking a nap in the middle of the day. For some strange reason, that affected by evening sleep that would bring on an episode.

I haven't had sleep paralysis in the longest time -- maybe because I conquered it. When it comes, I'll enjoy it. Hope this helps.

Post 47

I experienced this last night. I don't know what time it was, but think I had just nodded off and could sense someone at the end of my bed.

I was lying down on my left side at this point and all of a sudden, a horrible gust of wind was being blown my way as though this person was waving something at me to freeze me up and the more I tried to look (feeling numb and unable to move) the faster and louder this horrible cold air was being pushed on me. I was out of breath and luckily my partner touched me, which made him visible to me (my partner) and shortly after, I woke up out of this. I've had these experiences quite a lot in my life.

Post 46

I've had sleep paralysis since I was a kid. I think the first episodes were when I was about six. I felt as though a spider web was trapping me and I felt I was being squeezed to death. I wanted to scream, but couldn't, and I wanted to move but was paralyzed. It has happened ever since, I'm 33.

It happened more constantly as a child, maybe five to ten times per week, sometimes a few times per night. As I grew older, it happened less often, say one or two times every six months. It has always been very traumatic, but even though the experience is horrible now, I know what it really is and I am not as scared when I am finally able to move after an episode.

Insomnia, anxiety, stress, etc,. are definitely triggers. I know that from experiencing sleep paralysis for nearly 30 years.

Post 44

I just had one of these experiences again and it scared the hell out of me. I woke up about 5 a.m. this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to get out of bed. I started to get tired around 9, so I went back to bed for an hour and my partner was still in bed.

I fell asleep, but it didn't feel like a normal sleep and within minutes, I started trying to wake myself up but I couldn't move. I tried crying out to my partner but couldn't speak properly. I felt as if I were conscious but just couldn't open my eyes or move my body. After what felt like five minutes

, I finally managed to open my eyes, move my arm and say something, but immediately felt tired and didn't have the energy to fight it so I fell back asleep but straight away I was doing the same stuff (trying to waken up, trying to speak, etc.)

This happened about four times in total within roughly 20 minutes. The last time it happened, when I finally woke up fully, I just threw myself straight up and sat on the edge of the bed. I looked over my shoulder and my partner was lying awake reading the paper on her phone. I asked her if she had heard any of that and she said I was mumbling in my sleep but that she couldn't make any of it out. At one point she asked me what I was saying, and I replied clear as day, "nothing baby," but was still asleep.

I've been awake for a while now and still very very tired, but I'm too scared to go to sleep now. I feel that if I were to close my eyes, I would actually just fall onto the floor. This isn't the first time this has happened to me. I would say it happens on average every two months and has been going on for about five years now. The first time it happened I thought I had died and brought myself back to life and went to A&E where they hooked me up to all sorts of machines and monitored me for about three hours.

I work night shift, have a bad diet, and hardly exercise, so maybe that has a lot to do with it, but I've decided today that I need to change my bad diet. I am going to try squeeze in at least 30 minutes of mild exercise a day, and I'm going to try get a new job during the day and see if this helps.

Post 43

I have also experienced sleep paralysis. The most recent episode was last night. I felt that something was holding me back, pulling me towards itself. I tried very hard but could not scream. My body was immovable. I was trying to open my eyes because I thought I was dreaming, but just could not do so. When I woke up, suddenly I felt extreme pain in my hands. It scared the crap out of me.

Post 42

Interesting to read about similar experiences I've been having for a long time. I went to a neuropsychiatrist, got an EEG and was diagnosed as a narcoleptic. I never took the drugs I was prescribed as I always thought, and still do, this is a controllable state.

My experiences started after reading a book titled "Out Of Body Dreams" when I was 18 years old and a psychology student. The author described his astral projections. He qualified this state as a paranormal phenomenon. I bought it. And, I flew out of my body the next night, during my sleep. The first time was nice, and I enjoyed it. The second time was a bit scary. The departure from my body

made me worry about dying. The return into my body was a bit worrisome, too. It felt so good out there! I didn't want to come back until I got scared to die.

From then on, I refused these experiences, which presented themselves as a sleep paralysis. The body is paralyzed during early sleep, and there is a sensation of drifting fast up and out of my body. Refusing to let go is when sleep paralysis takes place. I experienced it a thousand times, essentially when very tired or unhappy in my relationships. I fight it by concentrating on moving my toes first, then my fingers as well as my toes, opening my eyes. And finally, I am back in full control. I know I have to get up and get a glass of something before I go back to sleep or it will happen again. It happens to me less and less, though. Maybe I am simply happier.

In the one to three days following one of these sleep paralysis episodes, I feel tired with a great loss of energy.

Post 41

I don't know if my occurrence is sleep paralysis. I was sleeping on my tummy last night, I woke up, and for some odd reason thought about what it would feel like to be possessed and suddenly felt a sudden pressure on my back as if it was pushing me into my bed. I was screaming and it wouldn't stop until my boyfriend pushed me (because he was annoyed and thought i was putting on an act). I need an answer as this is the second time it has happened.

Post 40

It's too scary. I just felt the same sort of situation as described in other posts. I don't know what it is. I usually study till 3 in the morning and I am sixteen years old.

I just went to sleep on my bed as I finished my studies. I usually listen music during sleep. My mobile was right with me suddenly I felt like my whole body was shaking. I couldn't move even a single part of my body. I tried to pull my legs up so that I could get up, but my legs came just a little above and started shaking again. I tried, but I could not move them. Each and every sound became so harsh

, like I was caught in a bomb blast. I was also not able to open my eyes. The most frightening thing was the sound was very very loud. I tried to get out of that but I could not.

This whole weird thing continued for six or seven minutes, when suddenly, I snapped out of it. I quickly got up and hurried to the lights. I was so scared. From that time until now, I've sitting at the computer and trying to make out what was the problem. It's really scary and I don't want to experience it again. Please guys, help me.

Post 39

Yeah, this happened to me yesterday. I thought there was a ghost in my room or I could crazy. I turned to my right side and closed my eyes and I felt this powerful energy in my back. And all of a sudden I couldn't move, talk or open my eyes. I could hear some guy in my head talking me asking me questions. The guy started out talking and asking me questions slowly then he started talking fast. Next I heard other people talking. Then my heart started racing. Last I tried very hard to move and finally I did.

Post 38

I used to suffer from sleep paralysis when I was around 7. I'd wake up in the middle of the night lying on my back with a feeling of dread coming over me, the room seemed darker than normal and I knew someone or something was in the room with me, then this presence would crawl onto the bottom of the bed and climb up onto my chest and sit there, as this was happening I couldn't move or shout out because I was scared it would harm or even kill me.

I can only describe it as a small hooded creature kind of like a goblin although I never saw its face. Probably a good thing. The weird

thing is I can't remember what happened after it sat on my chest, did I awake fully, get out of bed, switch the bedroom light on, climb back in and fall to sleep or just lie there until I fell back to sleep.

When I told my mum about what was happening she said it's probably the neighbors cat come to sleep on your bed.

Even now I still have a fear of the dark. I'm pretty sure I used to fall asleep with my eyes open as I was so scared to go to sleep, did I fall asleep and put my knees up? making a mound that looked like someone sitting on my bed and I always felt that my parents house had a strange atmosphere about it.

Post 37

I have experienced this many times in my life, especially after I pull late nighters to study. One really terrifying experience for me was when I was lying on my back, and I suddenly felt this presence by my side, and literally saw a shadow looming over me. I tried to open my eyes and move, but found that I could not do so. I could only watch as he picked up my left hand casually and lit it afire. I felt extreme physical pain then, and the next thing I knew I was screaming. My mum came and started shaking me, which sort of snapped me out of that, but the most terrifying thing after that experience, was that

I could not feel my left hand at all. However, when I used my right hand to touch it, it felt warm.

It was very traumatising, and on certain occasions of SP where I do manage, with much effort, to wrench my eyes open, the vision/hallucination continues to play and my eyelids feel so heavy they shut themselves tight again.

Post 36

This happened to me right now, which is why I'm here, but it has happened before in the past. It's nothing as extreme as people have been saying, but it's definitely something abnormal to me.

I was trying to go to sleep because I just want to get away from everyone downstairs, and I immediately got to close my eyes and rest; but after a few minutes, I felt like some sort of energy grab hold on my ankle, then it pulled it down, as if to push me off the bed. That instantly woke me up. I looked at my ankle and I saw a shadow rush by mine. I was about to scream, but instead I just got

up and left the room quickly.

What happened to me last time was almost completely different. I was in my bed with my legs up, but I was wide awake. I felt the energy grab me, and I literally saw my leg slipping off onto the bottom of my bed. My heart raced, and again, I just got up and left the room quickly. I didn't see any shadow that time, but I was still pretty spooked.

Post 35

It is comforting to find out that other people have experienced this problem, even though it's not something to joke about.

I have had episodes throughout my life - I remember them as early as my teens - and I had a particularly scary incident last night. I have never been a 'good sleeper' and last night was having trouble getting to sleep. I got out of bed and used the washroom and decided to sleep on the living room couch (and to add to the other posts, this would have been around 2:30ish -- that is odd!).

Based on the information presented here, I must have been falling asleep when the SP occurred. For me, it felt like someone standing behind me

, like I could feel someone breathing on me and I was trying to shoo them away but then I started to get freaked out because I could still feel the breathing. I tried to scream but nothing came out (like my mouth was glued shut) and then the panic set in and I woke myself up. It was totally scary! That is usually how it happens for me, trying to scream or yell and then panic.

I think I've started to develop problematic sleep patterns though, where some nights I get anxious about sleeping. Not a good situation at all but compared to some of the other experiences, mine seems so tame. I would be really horrified if I saw somebody! It's pretty incredible though to think about how the human mind works, and can trick you into thinking such scary thoughts. I'm sure medical professionals know far less about this then we know.

Post 34

I just had my first episode. I heard whispers but couldn't make them out, couldn't move or open my eyes and I wasn't sleeping. This happened around 3 a.m. and the one thing that's freaking me out now is everyone else's stories occurring around the same time. I don't believe in coincidence. In this case, I don't know what to believe!

Post 33

I'm 18 years old and I'm christian, so to me, it is like a satanic attack because every time I don't pray first, it occurs. It only occurs during a nap. It feels like this demonic presents binds me with his power. But fortunately, every time it happens to me, I say, "In the name of Jesus Christ, leave me alone" or "The blood of Jesus has power," and shortly I wake out of it with a headache.

I will need to fast in order for this thing to go away. The answer and solution to this and other disorders (demons) is called Jesus Christ. Seek him.

Post 31

Last night, I woke up to my stepdad's alarm clock (3:00 a.m.). I woke up thinking to myself please just shut the damn thing off. Moments later, my head felt tingly like if your feet were to fall asleep. I couldn't move. My eyes were open but no movement.

I tried opening my mouth but nothing would come out. I heard a voice speaking. It was talking fast, wasn't clear to me what was coming out, but it was another language that i have never heard before. I want answers. I'm freaked out.

Post 30

My young sister asked me to sleep in her bed with her a few weeks ago because she felt someone come in the room and touch her face, and she was petrified. Then yesterday morning, I was napping on the sofa when I heard someone come in the room and then felt them touch the back of my neck. I jolted awake and saw no one in the house. I then fell back to sleep and heard the person come back and walk around the sofa.

I was desperately trying to open my eyes and when they were open to a slit, I saw someone was standing over me and I felt in danger. I was trying to move and

punch my hands but felt as if I was being held down, then tried to scream and all I could hear was me swearing in a whisper.

I actually thought I was going to be murdered and when I finally managed to wake up I thought back to my sister and was convinced there must be something strange in the house. Now I have read this I know it is SP but I am still very scared to sleep in case it happens again.

Post 29

I am 21 and have had SP episodes four times in the past two months. I just had it this morning. I was sleeping on my back and I could see the ceiling and here my boyfriend sleeping next to me. I couldn't move or speak and I had my left hand out on a woman's face. I could feel her eyelashes and she said, "I am going to get you." I try to say no, but I only could moan. My boyfriend woke me up because he said I was moaning loud and it scared him. Once he woke me up I kept saying, "stop it stop it."

The first time I had it, I just felt someone touching

and breathing in my ear. Once again, I couldn't move or talk. Second time it was two people talking and one said, "Let's get her" and the other voice said "No, let's wait". Then the third time I felt someone walk by me and touch my head. Anyway, it feels super real and it scares me a lot. I hope it will stop because it makes me not even want to go to sleep.
Post 28

My sleep paralysis only started for me when I moved into my brother's house, which is quite old. I am female and was 19 at the time. It started with scarily vivid dreams if I napped during the day, then escalated to being shaken awake and either just my legs or my whole body paralyzed at night.

When I first encountered the paralysis it was only my legs that were being 'sat' on (almost like a cat?). I would reach down and touch my legs to find nothing there, yet I still couldn't move my legs. I was scared every night in the room, tv made me feel a little safe, when my timer turned it off that's when it

would 'attack'. I would wake up and in my head scream for my brother as it pushed me down, absolutely terrified. When it would stop suddenly I no longer felt scared or like screaming. Sometimes I would get shaken awake.

I moved away for a year and came back, totally forgetting about the night disturbances. The first night of sleep it shook me awake. Occurrences would happen at least once a week. I dreaded sleep. I've moved from there and have never experienced another episode of SP. I feel it was an entity in the house that either didn't want me there or wanted to take me over?

Post 27

Has anyone ever had sleep paralysis at the same time with their spouse lying right next to them? I've read all the posts but can't seem to shake the fact that what my wife and I experienced is akin to having the same dream! How can we both have this sleep paralysis, at the same time and both experienced the so-called hallucinations? The probability is too remote.

First, she wakes up by quaking/shaking and I feel it, wake up and can't move either. But there is movement in the room, shadows. No sounds. I try to move and will myself to get up and actually feel like I did, but my conscious tells me I'm still in the bed

. I try to leave the darkened room and then I'm back in the bed as if I never got up. Wife is still shaking. Finally, I will myself to get up and I'm very tired and strained. I plant my feet on the ground and look around around and touch my wife and say you woke me up. She then moves and says thank you, sorry, turns over (off her back) and goes back to sleep.

The next day, we talked about it and both our stories matched! She tells how she couldn't move, saw shadows moving around the room. She says she tries to move by touching me but can't reach me. She shook a lot but couldn't move. She says she also had a problem with direction (left and right briefly). I told her my story, and we were aghast and believed this is as strange as it gets. This is not hypnagogic hallucinations or whatever. This is a real phenomenon! I don't know if it is evil or good or something else; but it is real.

I bless my house most days as I cross the threshold. (Peace be unto this house and all who dwell in it, in the name of the Christ Jesus.) I did so this night. Somebody out there knows this is very real and disturbing. Interestingly enough, at other times in our life we've both experienced the strong scent of very sweet flowers wafting throughout the bedroom. No words, sounds, nor people, shadows just a very strong and very sweet flower scent. Something is going on physically in our presence.

Post 26

@anon174156: First, you weren't experiencing sleep paralysis. I have experienced it, and you cannot move. It's like you have to violently jerk yourself awake.

I suspect you were either having a hypnagogic hallucination (also very common), or maybe your husband had a sleepwalking episode. Or, it could have been an extremely vivid dream, and you just didn't realize it at the time. I don't think you saw a ghost or anything of the kind, and you're not crazy.

Post 25

I have read this site and this is my first time even hearing about SP. Well very similar stories I have just read. My experience woke me up at 3 a.m. I was sleeping on my couch in the front room my husband was in our bed in the bedroom sleeping, so he says. Well, I felt a very strange presence over me so I woke up and there was my husband looking directly in my face, so I said to him “Turn on the light,” but I get no answer O.K. So I say, “Can you please turn on the light? It’s dark in here.” Still no answer. Well, then he turned away from me

, like he was really trying to play with my emotions, and looked back at me and walked away backward (still looking at me) and back in the bedroom he went.

So I lay there for about ten minutes, thinking he was coming back in the room, but he never showed up. So I go back in the bedroom and the door was shut. (I didn’t hear the door shut or even move). I walked in the room and there my husband is, lying in the bed, asleep. I woke him up and told him that was a very mean trick he just pulled on me, and I asked him why did he wake me. And he denied even getting up at all and he said I was scaring him!

All I could think of is he may be telling the truth because he never ignored me before and the person that I saw didn’t answer me or say a word the whole time and walked away backward just staring at me. Well, that is not my husband’s personality at all.

O.K., so by me being awake this whole entire time, this is suppose to be a sleeping disorder? Or maybe this is just an old fashioned ghost? Please somebody talk to me!

Post 23

damn i thought i was going crazy. it is good to hear others go through the same stuff. I've been having this happen to me for about eight years

Last night, it actually kept occurring over and over. Now it's gotten to where i feel like I'm losing my breath, and it pretty much holds me till my last breath where I'm thinking I'm about to die.

It's crazy because i can see my boyfriend and my daughter lying next to me and whatever is on the tv at the time is what is on during the dream. I hate to call it that cause i don't feel like that is what it is.

Sometimes my boyfriend can feel me

trying to move and hear me moaning when I'm trying to call for help and nudges my body and he will wake me out of it. And i do feel like something is looking over me and it gets mad if you really try to fight it. i just close my eyes and pray. it helps sometimes. it does need to be researched more, i think.
Post 22

I had a strange experience last night. I regularly have bouts of insomnia and sleep paralysis maybe what I experienced. I was lying on the couch watching tv and falling asleep. I remember hearing the wind pretty strong outside and believe I was still awake at this point. All of a sudden, I heard and felt the wind turn more into a low, strong, rumbling vibration. I felt the pressure of this vibration push the couch with me in it toward the opposite wall almost in a strange, slow motion.

It is hard to explain, and the best I can describe it is almost feeling like myself, paralyzed on the couch, and the whole room, house was slowly rotating almost

like spiraling. Best I can put into words, it was as if I was moving with the Earth as a whole. I know that sounds nuts! I was terrified.

I am a Christian and my first thought was to scream out and rebuke whatever was going on in Jesus Christ's name. I could hear myself trying to say his name over and over but it was like I couldn't fully speak. It sounded almost like how a deaf person speaks. I could not move at all but felt a very strong, stiffening ache in my arms and chest. I did not just jolt into conscious awake, but more like I was finally able to beat the struggle to awaken.

My dog was coming up to me. I believe I was able to finally speak and she heard me. I could see the room but do not think my eyes were open. I was looking into OBE's when I found this. I have never felt this before. When it first started I felt like I was consciously aware I was dreaming, and then it was like I realized: this is not a dream and that was when the terrifying feeling came over me.

Post 21

I am not to sure if I have sleep paralysis. Sometimes when I am asleep it feels like I can't breathe. Is this sleep paralysis or something else?

Post 20

The most common causes of sleep paralysis we have dealt with is people that have in some way been involved with various levels, even very light level occult practices. Things such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, most types of meditation, spirit channeling, even obsessive research about the occult and/or UFO’s can be an open doorway for some people.

Generally, the deeper the person goes into the occult the more doors they open, and the more authority the demons gain over them, which can lead to severe physical attacks and even abductions in some cases. It is important to realize that the demons gain more authority over you the deeper you go, the more you “embrace” the experience. That is, they have a keen interest in a person becoming more active in the occult.

Post 19

I used to have episodes sleep paralysis when I was a teenager. It was the typical kind because I'd feel awake but couldn't move through the whole experience. I stopped having them for many years.

Now at 28, I'm starting to experience them again. But it feels different than before because when it starts, I can't move for what feels like a few seconds, then I can get out of bed and move around. At that point, that's when I wake up and realize it happened again.

Post 18

I have these as well. Usually when I'm very tired. I go to bed, about to fall asleep then a sudden sound of wind fills my ears. and i cannot move and have trouble breathing. What I found to work every time was focus on your breathing. When I was in SP, I know I was breathing but I wasn't breathing enough. Relax and try to take a big deep breath. It always works for me.

Post 17

i am 21 years old and just experienced SP. i am glad i found this post, it helped a lot. i can't believe what i saw. i was sleeping on my side, having a very vivid dream and woke up seeing images, then became aware of what was going on, not being able to move and see a woman kneeling at the edge of my bed.

i managed to pull my self towards her and she backed away then i quickly turned on my lamp and poof! She went away. i am freaked out and not going back to bed soon.

Post 16

I have experienced several SP episodes in my life and they escalated to actually seeing a shadow bouncing on me and pushing me. I was on my side and only my eyes could move, and I saw the shadow on the wall! It terrified me so much that I have learned how to scream out loud to wake myself up. My teenaged daughter finds this upsetting when she is awoken by my screams.

But just now, I just woke up from a most incredibly disturbing dream so as I was starting to drift back to sleep, something actually touched me but this time sexually, which was absolutely horrifying! I was able to scream again to wake myself up.

I have

experienced SP since I was 17. I am 48 now and not something I want to continue experiencing. The touching is starting to become more pronounced and inappropriate. To top things off, I then went outside for some fresh air (3:20 a.m.) and I could hear eerie moaning sounds (say 40 voices) getting louder and louder and then die off. I am spooked for sure!
Post 15

wow! i finally got a reason to smile.i have been going through this for the past many years and could think it's a satanic attack. So it's sleep paralysis? what then, is the ultimate solution?

Post 13

Yes i am 14, i get this once a month, except i can control it. i usually feel a scary presence around me but if i cuss at it through my mind i usually get attacked by and and i wake up. Through your mind be nice to it, and it goes away and then you can have fun with it. I finally found what I have been going through! Yay!

Post 12

phentermine cured my sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations. I had them as i child. it was a happy accident when i was prescribed this medicine for adhd at 40.

my grandson is 10 years old and has them. he cannot wait until he is old enough to get help. This is not narcolepsy; it is a parasomnia. my daughter had night terrors her son had sleepwalking.

most professionals do not know or have a clue about most sleep issues. they lump everything under narcolepsy -- a scary name which people have who fall asleep suddenly. This, i believe. should not be listed as in the family of parasomnia.

i know how awful this rem disorder is. i hope this helps one person.

Post 11

Last night i had the scariest moments of my life. Am i going crazy? i keep asking myself this. So last night an earthquake woke me up around 3 a.m. After it was done i lay back down, and no more than two minutes after the earthquake i felt a cat walk up from my feet to my face, purr and breathe on my face. I was crapping bricks. A few seconds went by and the presence went away.

i thought it was over, but was i wrong. After trying to understand what just happened, something else occurred. Not more than two minutes went by and i felt someone/something sit on my bed. I could not sleep since i woke up at 3 a.m. this morning. I don't have a clue what is going on.

Post 10

I have been experiencing it since my childhood and still experiencing it(now i am 38 years old). Till now i have experienced it more than 200 times.

I find it very scary and life threatening, because

i couldn't breathe during the experience.

Till now only prayer has helped me to come back to life.

Post 9

I suffer from sleep paralysis a few times a week, sometimes even twice in one night. I'm not superstitious but I can completely understand how you feel like you are being haunted.

Usually I would feel like someone or something was coming to get me, the most intense fear I've ever experienced, and I would wake up just as they were coming near to me. But lately, the thing actually touches me and I get a sensation like an electric shock.

The scariest dream was when the person ripped the covers off in my dream and when I awoke the covers actually were off. I feel like people who have never experienced these dreams do not understand how frightening they actually are. I often fight sleep because I am afraid of the experience.

Post 8

anon64813 - You're right about being on your back. I don't usually fall asleep on my back but when I do I usually have SP occur.

Post 7

This has happened to me only when I sleep at different times outside of my routine at night. So if I were to take a 'nap' in the afternoon, I have a higher chance of experiencing SP.

It's pretty scary when I become aware of it. It's like I'm conscious but I can't move, speak, or get up.

Although, like someone else stated, I can try super hard to jerk myself awake and it usually works. Try not to panic. If you can't get up, just calm yourself back to sleep and wake up later.

Post 6

Wow! it is very bitter sweet to know i am not the only one who has gone through something like this! most of the time i am on my back or in a very weird position with the covers over my head and i can't move.

when it would happen i would try to calm down and attempt to make myself jerk and nine out of 10 times it works! i knew about rem sleep and sleep paralysis but i never understood why i would wake up and have the feeling of someone in the room, or someone touching me or hearing screaming. now i understand.

i haven't had an episode in a while except for a couple of weeks

ago and was able to control it before it got too bad. also i am able to wake myself out of my dreams before they get too scary or weird. I'm glad i found this article because it helped a lot!
Post 5

Its happened a few times to me. Very scary, it feels like you can't breathe and because of that you try to struggle with no success, which in turn puts you in a panic.

Oh yeah -- then there's the scary thoughts that go through your head like thinking I was going to die. Better than any horror movie. :)

Post 4

This happens to me a few times a year. It is normal but is it normal for that often?

Post 3

I have experienced SP many times over the years. I've had all the classic symptoms. I can't move, I try to scream, I feel the presence of someone or something in the room. There's the sound of rushing wind. I try to force myself awake and sometimes I succeed. But, sometimes I fall right back into SP. Some people have mistaken SP for an alien abduction.

Post 2

Very frightening. I have experienced this more than once in my life, though not in recent years. It gives one a very real sense of what paralysis might be like.

Post 1

I have experienced sleep paralysis many times in my life, though it does not occur anymore. The most frightening aspect of it for me was auditory hallucinations. I actually heard someone in the room. There were times when that voice was saying very threatening things, or making a requests of me that I could not fulfill because I couldn't move. My life is much, much happier and calmer now and interestingly enough, these episodes have not occurred since things settled down.

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