Sleep problem

Hi skiepen1,

This sounds very much like classic sleep paralysis, regardless of whether or not you're actually aware of being paralysed. I've had it for 50 years myself.

The best way to handle this is to force yourself to sit up as soon as you're able to move. I know how difficult that can be, as you feel as if you're being sucked back into sleep every time (in which case the whole thing repeats itself). However, if you make a really big effort, even get out of bed for a moment if you can, but at least have a drink of water or something, you'll reduce the chances of being sucked back in.

It's also useful to try and identify what triggers these attacks. If you can avoid your triggers, you can reduce the number of attacks. This is different for anyone. My own main trigger is getting too warm in bed. That will practically guarantee an attack. I also have more attacks when I sleep too much - presumably because I'm not sleeping as deeply then. Most - though not all - of my attacks happen when I'm sleeping late or having an afternoon nap. However, some people find the opposite. They have more attacks when they're not sleeping enough. Some people find certain foods can trigger attacks, and especially alcohol or recreational drugs. The important thing is to identify your own triggers.

This is a completely harmless condition that affects up to 5% of the general population. It usually first manifests in late teens or early twenties, though it can start later than that. It's quite strongly hereditary too. Several members of my father's family had it.

Once you've learned to manage the condition you should be able to get it under some sort of control, but it's unlikely it will ever go away. It does, however, decline with age.