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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.
First Time Sleep Paralysis Experience
by Steve
(New Jersey)
I'm 19 and just experienced my first episode of SP. Ironically, my family and I were discussing sleep paralysis at dinner two nights ago. After reading a few other stories, my episode seems relatively mild.
I was dreaming that I was in a room similar to the one I am sleeping in (on vacation in a non-familiar room) and i was with some close friends really doing nothing but sitting together in the dark. The worst part was that since the settings of my dream and my actual surroundings were so similar, it was hard for me to decipher what was actually the dream.
I was instantly aware of the SP when it happened. I realized I was in fact in my bed in the room i was sleeping in and experienced the classic symptom of total paralysis as well as an extremely unsettling feeling as if somebody was watching me from behind. I was sleeping on my side facing the wall which made it even more terrifying not being able to see what i thought was surely somebody/something behind me (at the time).
Since SP was fresh on my mind from the dinner conversation I recently had, i tried to keep my cool and work at regaining my mobility. I knew the paralysis was caused by my body's attempt to keep me still while dreaming so i knew i would have to wait it out. I am now wide awake and extremely paranoid, especially after having read some of these other stories of rape, demons, and supernatural hallucinations. I'm paranoid to fall asleep again because my episode seems very mild now but I was still terrified. I don't even know how scared I could be if i experienced legitimate hallucinations of demons around me.
I've recently gotten very good at lucid dreaming. For the past year now i've been working at it while i sleep and i've been seeing extreme results in my control of my dreams. Is it possible that i can use this skill of controlling the outcomes of my dreams similarly while dreaming in SP mode and potentially turn a terrifying experience into a pleasant one? I tend to spook easily as it is so i'm really freaking out already at the potential of experiencing a "supernatural" hallucination.
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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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The Zeo
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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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