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I'm Awake But Can't Move!

by Gino
(Redbank NJ)

I'm 32 yrs old male and had experienced sleep paralysis twice In the past 10 months. Last night was just horrible! I had shut off the TV and laid my head on the pillow. As soon as I did I heard something like fast wind going back and fourth. I had turned on my left side and my right ear was hearing it as well. So I had laid on my back. Then both my ears were hearing the same sound of fast wind going by me.


My partner was sleeping alongside me and I heard his snoring on top of that. My eyes were open and I wasn't sleeping I know I wasn't because when I turn off the TV, I wasn't sleepy. Then it seems like he got up but didn't because I saw like shadows on top of him. I tried to move and I couldn't, I tried to scream but I couldn't, I just couldn't move anything. The wind noise went away. This lasted about 5 min then I was able to move, so I got out of bed and went to sit on the couch.

This is very scary and I'm scared of this. I just read about sleep paralysis but I was awake I wasn't sleeping. Anyone please help.

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Mar 01, 2015
 Sleep Paralysis While Awake
by: Kevin

Hi Gino, The sleep paralysis we talk about as a parasomnia does take place while we are awake. You become aware when you wake up, but one aspect of REM sleep, the paralysis, continues to affect your body. We call it awareness during sleep paralysis, or ASP.

You can read our page reviewing a book dedicated to dealing with sleep paralysis here if you like.

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