sleep paralysis

Hello katy.

I can give you the only advice that worked for me: not sleeping on my back. I used to always sleep on my back and suffer from sleep paralysis almost every night, several times even, then I read somewhere, that sleeping on your side makes you feel less vulnerable somehow. And it kind of worked for me, now if I ever get it, it's because I changed positions while sleeping. So I guess if you are a still sleeper, this can help you. And honestly I've had it for so long now, I learned how to control it, usually when you get it you are aware of it, so if you try not to panic it will be easier for you to get out of it, it's hard to get there but it can happen. I try to ignore it, whatever sound or hallucination that may be, I don't let it get to me cause on some level, even when it's happening I know it's because of this condition, I just try to shake my head to wake myself up, it's not even so scary anymore, except for the part where you feel paralyzed but at least you can control the visions. Try to block/ignore them remind yourself that you are aware when paralyzed, it really does work. I hope this helps you!

Totally sympathise, Katy. I've had it for 50 years! Just got back from a trip to London this evening and saw your post. Quite a coincidence because I had a bad attack just last night - first really nasty one in a couple of years. Normally I get them either towards the end of the night or dozing during the day, so I'm not deeply asleep and immediately realise what's going on. Last night's episode came within half an hour of falling asleep, so I was confused and woke making a terrible squawking noise. As I was in a hotel, I was very embarrassed!

Try and find out what triggers your attacks. My main trigger is getting too hot (probably the case last night). As Reeda says, lying on your back can make it worse. Some people find changing the orientation of their bed helps. And don't forget it's an electromagnetic/geomagnetic phenomenon, so sleeping too close to an electrical junction box can make it worse too. (Google Michael Persinger and his God Helmet".) Sleeping too much can also set me off, though some people are triggered by not sleeping enough. Alcohol and coffee can be triggers too. And obviously, stress always plays a part in this kind of thing. It's a very personal thing. Try keeping a journal.

Unfortunately, my hallucinations are mainly tactile - and very painful - though I occasionally hear things too. I never see anything. Last night's episode was absolute agony. My dad had it too, as well as his father and at least two brothers. It's quite strongly hereditary. His case was one of the rare ones - olfactory (smell) hallucinations as well as seeing things. He used to wake to disgusting sights with associated smells.

When I'm locked in the thing I can sometimes break out of it by trying to move the tip of my tongue or my fingers. Another thing I find useful is to talk mentally to my "aggressor" (who I know perfectly well is me, of course). Some people advise asking simply: "What do you want?" In latter years I've found it works better if I reassure "it" - e.g. "It's all right, don't worry, I like you". Sounds crazy I know, but fits in with the theory that it's our id that's attacking us. Unfortunately none of that worked last night, as I was exhausted and too deeply asleep when it hit me, so took it for real!

I'm glad that you're associating these hallucinations with your own mind. Too many people get spooked by weird ideas. That being said, I agree it's still quite scary enough getting mugged by your own unconscious!

In answer to your question: yes, in all likelihood you will always have to live with it. Mine started in my early 20s, when I was studying for my final nursing exams, and I still have it now, at age 71. However, it started decreasing as I moved into my 30s and has been declining ever since. Sometimes I go a year or so without an episode these days, only to have several over a few days.

Do you have lucid dreams too? I mean the kind where you seem to be able to control the dream content to some extent. Or even the spectacular ones where you become wide awake during the dream and can do whatever you want. I used to really enjoy lucid dreaming, but unfortunately that's also declined at the same rate as the sleep paralysis.

Hey!

Ive had sleep paralysis since I was 15 years old and im 26 now and I stil have them at least once a month. There was a point in my life when i had sleep paralysis everyday for months. I would try sleeping on my side, supine, stomach and I would stil have this. Sometimes I can hear them talking to me or would feel it coming. Id wake up out of it and fall back into the same thing. I would feel dizzy and feel like i was stil in that stage but I knew I was awake. So what i started doing was once i would wake up out of one id stay awake with the tv on for at least ten minutes even though I was extremely sleepy. This would help a lot. Another thing is that sleep paralysis is a scientific term for this. But why is it so scary???? Is it demons atackong me? The last one i had was yesterday in the afternoon when i decided to take a nap after work. This time it passed as my husband layed next to me and held my head so hard. When I grabbed his face to get him off of me it felt so gooey and digusting. I fought as much as I could. I feel as if im a pro now. I always fight them and curse at them in my dream and I wake up immediately. So try cursing and fighting. Good luck.