STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly · Hermes

Waking up during REM/paralysis (kind of long)

boobaby · Kate Spade

It happened to me once. I was taking a nap in the middle of the day and sleeping on my back (which is rare for me). I felt as if someone was holding me down with their face just inches from mine. I couldn't open my eyes, let alone move. Then I heard like a grunt or low yell and I woke up and I was all alone. This was when I lived in the dorms, so I was really freaked out, but my friend explained sleep paralysis to me and I felt better.

The sensation of being pinned down and of a "presence" was very real, though.

I don't know what causes it, but I do believe that this explains away many "hauntings". I mean, how many times have you heard people say they woke up and a man was at the foot of their bed or someone was choking/attacking them when listening to ghost stories?

I don't know much about it, but I do know I was sleeping in a position that isn't that natural for me. Maybe that had something to do with it?

subwolley · Kate Spade

This happens to me a lot. Usually it happens when I take a nap, or I am sleeping too long in the morning, and I feel that I need to get up.

This is a new thing for me, it's happened in the last couple of years, whereas it never happened to me before that.

It's freaky and I hate when it happens. I can clearly see my room, but I can't move. Also, it seems to happen a few times before I actually do wake up.

What helps me, is that I set my alarm, so that I can really relax my mind if I need to take a nap. Otherwise, I just don't take a nap, because I don't like feeling paralyzed.

Apparently a new thing has started happening to me in the last year. I've been waking up not screaming, but kinda crying/screaming...kinda the same thing as the sleep paralysis. But apparently I am waking up during REM and seeing my room, except that I'll see weird shadows and think something is coming after me. It's freaky! Usually this happens if I've had a stressful day. Doesn't happen all the time.

I'm beginning to hate sleep.
Did anyone see Oprah this week on night terrors. That stuff freaks me out!

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

I've had it happen. It's sleep paralysis. It is a very weird and panicky thing! I've never had the sensation of being sat on, but only am aware of the fact that I can't move anything in my body. The way I get movement back is by really concentrating on gathering the energy to move my head. Once I've done that, my body is free again. This is done all in that half asleep state too. I'm not aware of actually having my eyes open and seeing anything though

The only thing I've ever read on how to maybe prevent it is to not sleep on your back.

Kelly · Hermes

wow, I didn't even think sleep positions would make a difference. I usually sleep on my side, but I've been trying to sleep on my back more because I heard it could help prevent wrinkles (I know, how vain am I?). So whether it's from sleeping in a position unusual to me or sleeping specifically on one's back, that might have something to do with it. I think I can handle a couple more wrinkles when I'm older if it means I don't have to feel like I'm being killed all the time!

-- Edited by ttara123 at 14:14, 2008-04-04

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Yeah, my sleep-doctor mentioned it one time. I've never experienced it, but it's something that can happen.

subwolley · Kate Spade

I don't know how big of a difference sleep position helps. I sleep on my side and still have these weird things happen.

blubirde · Chanel

I sleep on my back a lot and that's the only time it happens to me. It usually happens (like some of the other girls) when I'm napping or sleeping late in the mornings. And, like Carrie, if I concentrate on moving my arm, or whatever, it's over. I think it just takes a few moments for your brain to catch up with your body in that situation. (My non-scientific opinion.)

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Ive had it happen a few times in my life, usually when I was having an upsetting dream where I was in danger, or running from someone, I wake up and am fully aware of myself, can see my surroundings but cannot move at all and am mute. You can literally feel yourself TRYING to scream but only hearing muffled noises.

It makes sense that its REM. I wouldn't be worried! If anything, I would try to surround yourself with positive thoughts, esp before bedtime so that you are not having the panicky feelings when you sleep (and therefore have better dreams).

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

this has happened to me many times and i hate it. it always terrifies me and i feel i'm being suffocated. for me, it usually happens when i sleep flat on my stomach so i never do that anymore. the way i get out of it is to start trying to talk and move something, and it wakes me up fully. since your incidents seem to happen from a certain sleep position too, i think if you switch to another one it will make a big difference.

atlgirl · Gucci

I've had it happen about 5 or 6 times in my life. It's awful and the experiences stay with me for a long time. I've only had it happen when I've been sleeping on my back (which, thankfully, is pretty rare).