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Sleep Paralysis

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Posted 9/3/2016 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Has anyone ever experienced sleep paralysis? Last night was my first time (unless I'm forgetting other times) and I woke up and my mind was there but I couldn't move my body. I was waking up from a deep sleep and mid-dream. Weirdest thing ever.
Posted 9/3/2016 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Blu's,

I have only had this for any amount of significant time once. (it happens for a split second every once in a while, when awakening)

It was really disturbing! I had come downstairs after waking up very early with my daughter. I had fallen asleep again on the couch, but not realized it. (daughter was watching t.v.) This was during a very stressful time...I was in the midst of a divorce. My ex was not stable and would call all hours of the night...my poor daughter was not sleeping well either...so I was running on adrenaline and fumes!)

What happened felt like I was awake. I could think cognitively that I needed to get up. I could see...my eyes were open...but I absolutely could not move. It lasted for what seemed an eternity. ..but was actually only 10-15 seconds?

This is a strange and not fully understood phenomenon. ..but stress and sleep disturbance seems to be a catalyst.

Did it cause you anxiety/fear...or did you just find it strange?

S.C.
Posted 9/3/2016 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
It caused me more fear later in the morning after I was awake and able to fully comprehend what happened. In the moment I thought I was in a dream but mentally was awake.
I do sleep in a bed with three dogs and have a tendency to wake up a lot/ get disturbed from noise. I also had red wine last night which could have contributed.
Posted 9/3/2016 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Like everyone has said it dont happen often, the one i still remember was i was awake but had the
feeling i didnt know who or what i was i even thought, am i a bug, fly, amoeba, it sounds funny but
i really didnt know, then i seemed to pull into clarity and it was just old me.
The experience is real and can be disturbing. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/4/2016 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blu's,

Reading your post had me remembering a very long time ago when I was about
15 or so, I had the same experience a few times not being able to move when
waking out of a sleep. I was fully conscious and had to struggle to move which lasted
for a matter of seconds, maybe 10. I never told anyone about it and had it several times over
the years until I was in my twenties. Then it stopped and I haven't had it for
decades, now a senior citizen. I wonder if it happens to people who are suffering
from anxiety and/or depression or at random. I'm one of those people in the first group.

Hopefully you won't experience this again. It was a very scary experience for me,
every time I had it.
Posted 9/4/2016 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Don't worry, I used to get this alot. Stress and anxiety are factors that cause sleep paralysis.
Posted 9/5/2016 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
It is scary!

...but from all I've read about it...completely benign.

S.C.
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