Sleep Paralysis

As a person who suffers from sleep paralysis I would like to write a bit about it. Of course, as many things which involve the brain and body, everyone suffers from sleep paralysis different, so please keep in mind this is just my own experience.

I first realised something was different when I was 16, I fell asleep but all of a sudden I had this pressure on me, as if something was holding me down. I opened my eyes, in fear, confused on what was going on. My ears were buzzing, everything was dark and I couldn't see what was happening.  I tried to move but couldn't, I tried to scream but I couldn't open my mouth. I managed to make noise with my mouth close ( like a person screaming when they have tap over their mouth in films).  After what it felt like over 10 minutes of struggling, it all disappeared.

As a paranormal activity believer ( ghosts, extraterrestrials, etc) I thought I had experienced something paranormal. A one off.  But it didn't end there, I had these "attacks" at least 3 times a week, some where weaker than others and I am still getting them now, 12 years after.  I have encountered some different paranormal activity so I kept thinking I was haunted as nobody could give me an answer. All I got was necklaces with a cross hanging from it. It wasn't until I saw this picture, I realised I wasn't the only one. I read as much as I could about it and tried to inform myself from it. 



Around 3 years ago I went to my GP as the previous night I had another sleep paralysis attack which stopped me from breathing, something new and really scary. When I spoke to him he didn't even know what sleep paralysis was, he had to search it on the NHS website, back then there wasn't much information about it. All he could say was: " I will do more searching about it and will contact you as soon as I get more information". Of course I'm still waiting for that phone call.  

I am still suffering from Sleep Paralysis, and unfortunately none of the tips to "move" have helped


I'm sure some of you are thinking, how does sleep paralysis actually feel like?

Here's my personal encounter: 

When you fall asleep there's something called atonia, which helps to relax the muscles when you enter the REM, the moment you fall asleep and you start dreaming.  The moment we all love and the reason some of us want to continue staying in bed.  Well, Sleep paralysis is when you wake up but the body is still paralysed. Allowing your brain to see around you, but not be able to move. Breathing is not effected, but my experience shows me that there's not enough air, so when the effects of this attack stop I end up gasping for air.  It feels as what the picture above shows, but you don't see her, you might not see anything or your brain might cause the hallucination that something is in the room. 

As I said, it's different for everyone. But unfortunately there's still no definitive reason for it.  People say stress, depression, not be able to sleep,.... I have been stressed but from 16 to now, there is no big causes of stress, when I don't suffer from Sleep Paralysis I sleep like a baby and I'm a really happy person.  So why do I suffer from it? Good question, but without an answer, for now.

Here are some links for sleep paralysis for those who would like to know more:

NHS website

WebMD website

Sleep Education website


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