Sleep Paralysis problem - need help!!!

T_K · 02-04-2007, 01:35 PM

Hello everyone!

Last week I had my first episode of sleep paralysis and it scared the
hell out of me! I've been having sleep-disorders for a long time
and I'm always having wild lucid dreams, only nightmares. Sleep paralysis is a condition
characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up .
Does anyone know how to overcome this problem? Is it just a sleep
disorder or is it an organic problem?

Thanks for any response!
The nightmares seem so real!

Cyprian · 02-04-2007, 01:51 PM

Scary. I don't have any advice, but was wondering what you meant by 'lucid' dreams? Do you mean dreams that are very VIVID and real seeming? Or dreams in which you can control every action, and create your own scenarios...I bet you are discussing the former.

I have a thread about Lucid Dreams in the off-topic forum, these are dreams in which you realize that you are dreaming, and thus can control your dream with your intent or will...

Sorry that you are having these sleep problems. A quick wikipedia search came up with some information, including these possible causes:

Sleep paralysis occurs during REM sleep in order to prevent the body from manifesting movements made in the subject's dreams. Little is known about the physiology of sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles, to prevent the body from enacting the dreamt activity (e.g. preventing a sleeper from running when dreaming about running).

There is also a significant positive correlation between those experiencing this disorder frequently and those suffering from narcolepsy. However, various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives.

Some report that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include:

Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards)
Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
Increased stress
Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams, also known as WILD.
Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines

DizzyDoris · 02-04-2007, 01:53 PM

If they are lucid, im guessing you know you are dreaming? I had a really vivid, scary nightmare the other night and i thought to myself woah...i dont like this. I dont know how i did it, but i was able to stop my nightmare and change its theme without waking up. Cyprian has started a Lucid dreams thread in the off topic section, with lots of interesting links on this subject.

As for sleep paralysis, ive never experienced that, but i hear its quite common. Try googling it to see if you can find anything. I would imagine your mind is awake, but your body takes a few moments to catch up! If it happens again, try and remain calm, dont panic and realise what is happening to you. Maybe try wriggling your toes until the feeling comes back. If you are worried at all, go see your doctor, he can advise you much better than me

DizzyDoris · 02-04-2007, 01:54 PM

Speak of the devil lol

We must have both been typing at the same time then cyprian!

Katerimo · 02-04-2007, 01:58 PM

Poor you! The absolute best thing you can do is relax! When in this state tell yourself you're in control, you know what is happening, remain completely calm and imagine something nice try imagining a tranquil place or your favorite person.

T_K · 02-04-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks for answering!
I don't know how to explain my dreams, it seems like I'm awake in my dreams.
And with sleep paralysis people only see nightmares relevant to death and similar stuff!
It seems soooooo real I can promise it is real! Then I wake up and realize it's a dream! And I can't stop it, all I'm thinking is this, it is a terrible feeling, I hope you'll never experience it! Sleep Paralysis has something to do with not proper breathing and not enough oxygen in the brain, so I should probably see a doctor....

Daligal83 · 02-04-2007, 02:09 PM

I used to have episodes of sleep paralysis...but never had death related dreams. I did think I was dying the first time it happened though. Mine eventually went away, but I noticed that I had them when I was stressed or overtired, not getting enough sleep. I know it's scary when it happens...but like another poster said, just stay calm and know that you'll come out of it soon.

RayKay · 02-04-2007, 02:35 PM

I have only had one sleep paralysis incident (though I do have VERY vivid dreams) and it occurred as I was overfatigued that week. For me too, it was a feeling of being there helpless as someone was coming in the room to murder me, it was terrifying as I could not move though I knew my limbs were all there!

My dreams themselves can be scary, or at least very vivid, but I have ALWAYS had these and blame it on a very creative imagination. There are times I wake up and do not want to fall asleep again but I do and end up continuing the dream..sigh. I think these are just part of whom I am, as I do eat well, exercise, get a decent # of hours of sleep, relax before bed, etc.

Sleep disorders like paralysis and sleepwalking etc. are often related to "sleep hygiene" - make sure you sleep enough, have a good bedtime routine, eat properly during the day, exercise regularly (allows for more sound sleeping), etc.

pinkelephant · 02-04-2007, 04:07 PM

I used to get sleep paralysis everytime I tried to sleep. They scare me so much that over time, I was scared to sleep.

I found that sleeping on your sides help and it was stress related - so are you stressed? Is your sleep pattern regular? I know it's impossible to relax during that state, so I'm not sure what else to tell you.

Katerimo · 02-04-2007, 05:31 PM

yes that's something else I've heard (my brother used to have this problem because he has asthma) don't sleep on your back but on your side.

02-04-2007, 01:35 PM	#1
T_K Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 14	Sleep Paralysis problem - need help!!! Hello everyone! Last week I had my first episode of sleep paralysis and it scared the hell out of me! I've been having sleep-disorders for a long time and I'm always having wild lucid dreams, only nightmares. Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up . Does anyone know how to overcome this problem? Is it just a sleep disorder or is it an organic problem? Thanks for any response! The nightmares seem so real!

02-04-2007, 02:09 PM	#7
Daligal83 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 3,031	I used to have episodes of sleep paralysis...but never had death related dreams. I did think I was dying the first time it happened though. Mine eventually went away, but I noticed that I had them when I was stressed or overtired, not getting enough sleep. I know it's scary when it happens...but like another poster said, just stay calm and know that you'll come out of it soon. __________________ Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it. ~Salvador Dali~ "If you can't trust, then you can't be trusted" -Ben Folds

02-04-2007, 02:35 PM	#8
RayKay Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Middle of Canada Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 13,270	I have only had one sleep paralysis incident (though I do have VERY vivid dreams) and it occurred as I was overfatigued that week. For me too, it was a feeling of being there helpless as someone was coming in the room to murder me, it was terrifying as I could not move though I knew my limbs were all there! My dreams themselves can be scary, or at least very vivid, but I have ALWAYS had these and blame it on a very creative imagination. There are times I wake up and do not want to fall asleep again but I do and end up continuing the dream..sigh. I think these are just part of whom I am, as I do eat well, exercise, get a decent # of hours of sleep, relax before bed, etc. Sleep disorders like paralysis and sleepwalking etc. are often related to "sleep hygiene" - make sure you sleep enough, have a good bedtime routine, eat properly during the day, exercise regularly (allows for more sound sleeping), etc. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=darkolivegreen][B]<--- [COLOR=sienna]Carbun the Super-Bunny[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=#556b2f][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=darkolivegreen][B]At the end of the day, how you imprinted on someones life and heart is the only true mark any of us leave on this earth and is what we are most proud of... [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][I][SIZE=1]- My Biggest Hero and Mentor: My Mum.[/SIZE][/I] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=orange][B]Il faut d'abord durer [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][I][SIZE=1]- Ernest Hemingway[/SIZE][/I] Last edited by RayKay; 02-04-2007 at 02:38 PM.

02-04-2007, 01:51 PM	#2
Cyprian Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 352	Scary. I don't have any advice, but was wondering what you meant by 'lucid' dreams? Do you mean dreams that are very VIVID and real seeming? Or dreams in which you can control every action, and create your own scenarios...I bet you are discussing the former. I have a thread about Lucid Dreams in the off-topic forum, these are dreams in which you realize that you are dreaming, and thus can control your dream with your intent or will... Sorry that you are having these sleep problems. A quick wikipedia search came up with some information, including these possible causes: Sleep paralysis occurs during REM sleep in order to prevent the body from manifesting movements made in the subject's dreams. Little is known about the physiology of sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles, to prevent the body from enacting the dreamt activity (e.g. preventing a sleeper from running when dreaming about running). There is also a significant positive correlation between those experiencing this disorder frequently and those suffering from narcolepsy. However, various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives. Some report that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include: Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards) Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation Increased stress Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams, also known as WILD. Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines

02-04-2007, 01:53 PM	#3
DizzyDoris Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: far far away Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 370	If they are lucid, im guessing you know you are dreaming? I had a really vivid, scary nightmare the other night and i thought to myself woah...i dont like this. I dont know how i did it, but i was able to stop my nightmare and change its theme without waking up. Cyprian has started a Lucid dreams thread in the off topic section, with lots of interesting links on this subject. As for sleep paralysis, ive never experienced that, but i hear its quite common. Try googling it to see if you can find anything. I would imagine your mind is awake, but your body takes a few moments to catch up! If it happens again, try and remain calm, dont panic and realise what is happening to you. Maybe try wriggling your toes until the feeling comes back. If you are worried at all, go see your doctor, he can advise you much better than me

02-04-2007, 01:54 PM	#4
DizzyDoris Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: far far away Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 370	Speak of the devil lol We must have both been typing at the same time then cyprian!

02-04-2007, 01:58 PM	#5
Katerimo Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Gender: Female Age: 25 Posts: 68	Poor you! The absolute best thing you can do is relax! When in this state tell yourself you're in control, you know what is happening, remain completely calm and imagine something nice try imagining a tranquil place or your favorite person.

02-04-2007, 02:05 PM	#6
T_K Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 14	Thanks for answering! I don't know how to explain my dreams, it seems like I'm awake in my dreams. And with sleep paralysis people only see nightmares relevant to death and similar stuff! It seems soooooo real I can promise it is real! Then I wake up and realize it's a dream! And I can't stop it, all I'm thinking is this, it is a terrible feeling, I hope you'll never experience it! Sleep Paralysis has something to do with not proper breathing and not enough oxygen in the brain, so I should probably see a doctor....

02-04-2007, 04:07 PM	#9
pinkelephant Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lala land Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,615	I used to get sleep paralysis everytime I tried to sleep. They scare me so much that over time, I was scared to sleep. I found that sleeping on your sides help and it was stress related - so are you stressed? Is your sleep pattern regular? I know it's impossible to relax during that state, so I'm not sure what else to tell you.

02-04-2007, 05:31 PM	#10
Katerimo Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Gender: Female Age: 25 Posts: 68	yes that's something else I've heard (my brother used to have this problem because he has asthma) don't sleep on your back but on your side.