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The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.
30 Years Of Sleep Paralysis
by George
(Allen Park, MI)
Since 1978 I have had about 70 or 80 episodes of sleep paralysis. The first occurred while I was napping at my job. I worked a split shift so I had some free time to take naps, shop, or whatever. I never really sleep very well and this was no exception. Sometime during my nap I felt like I was awake and tried to move but couldn't. I tried to talk but it was useless. I was aware of a co-worker I thought had walked in the room but they denied it when I asked about it later. So that part might have been a dream.
Since then it has come and gone randomly with no known trigger. In the beginning I used to be terrified. As you might expect waking up from such an event is quite a relief.
As I said I have no idea what triggers it. I do have sleep apnea though I don't think I had it when this first occurred. I have a great deal of trouble sleeping and have for several years. If you do have an episode of sleep paralysis the key is not to panic and remind yourself that it will be over soon. Unfortunately it may take a few occurrences to be able to do this. I have never associated sleep paralysis with the alien abduction phenomenon though I have an interest in UFO's. Anyway that's my story.
Kevin's Thoughts
Thanks a lot for sharing your story George. You hit the nail on the head in saying that the key is not to panic during an episode--and the key to being able to do that is experience, like you say, or knowledge of why sleep paralysis occurs and how natural the roots of the causes are. In dealing with sleep paralysis, knowledge is empowering.Also, it's definitely possible your co-worker is telling the truth. It's tricky with hypnagogic hallucinations differentiating what you perceived to have happened with what actually happened sometimes. I just got a submission from another visitor where the person in the sleep paralysis episode thought she reached for her phone and called her father, only to discover upon coming out of it that her phone was charging on the complete other side of the room.
Thanks again for sharing!
Kevin
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Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
America's Most Dangerous Disorder: What Is Sleep Apnea Doing To Your Sleep?
Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
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Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
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