Sleep paralysis stories typically involve unusual and frightening experiences. Perhaps you have one or two of these disturbing tales of your own to tell.
If not, I’ll first share one of mine to give you an understanding of what it can be like.
Then we’ll take a closer look at whether sleep paralysis demons or ghosts really exist. Or if science can provide a logical and comforting explanation.
My sleep paralysis experience
Imagine the following scenario: it’s been a long day, you go to bed later than usual and fall asleep quickly through sheer exhaustion.
But instead of waking up peacefully in the morning, you half wake in the middle of the night. And in the darkness of your bedroom, it slowly dawns on you that you can’t move your body…and that someone, or something, is watching you.
A weight pushing on your chest
You feel a weight on your chest, pressing you down and preventing you from sitting up. And not only is your whole body paralyzed, but you can’t so much as move your lips to call out for help.
You’re not sure who or what is pushing on your chest. Even though you seem to be able to move your eyes just a little, it’s too dark to see anyway. Regardless, you just feel that there’s a presence there. Something strange. Something frightening.
This happened to me last year and was a very unsettling experience. Fortunately, there was no demon, ghost or burglar in my bedroom.
After a minute’s panic, the feeling passed. And I was then able to stumble to the bathroom to make sure my face wasn’t decorated with demonic symbols. It was a classic case of sleep paralysis.
What is sleep paralysis?
Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis is classified as a parasomnia, which is a group of sleep disorders involving unwanted behaviors that accompany sleep.
The main symptom is being awake and unable to move your body. It might also be accompanied by hallucinations or dreams/nightmares whilst still awake.
It typically lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes before movement is regained. And although it may feel like it at the time, it’s not believed by medical organizations to be harmful.
What causes it?
The exact reason for why it happens to some people and only on some nights isn’t known. However, scientists do have a theory about what goes on during sleep paralysis.
During the night, you cycle through different sleep stages. When you enter the REM stage of sleep, your brain stops your muscles from moving – known as REM atonia. One explanation for this atonia is that it prevents injury from acting out your dreams in bed.
During sleep paralysis, the atonia starts, or continues, while you’re awake. And during this time, you might also experience what’s known as sleep hallucinations, or dreams while you’re awake.
So your body and brain are temporarily out of sync while transitioning between sleep stages, potentially creating a frightening experience.
As Dr. Michael J. Breus neatly explains:
Sleep scientists believe that sleep paralysis may occur when the transitions in and out of REM sleep and other sleep stages don’t go smoothly.
How many people experience sleep paralysis?
Sleep paralysis stories like mine are surprisingly common. In 2011, researchers aggregated 35 sleep paralysis studies to find out how many people had experienced it at least once in the past year, finding:
- 7.6% of the general population
- 28.3% of students
- 31.9% of psychiatric patients
And according to the handbook of sleep disorders, it will happen at least once in a lifetime of 40% to 50% of normal subjects, but is “far less common as a chronic complaint”.
Who is more at risk of having sleep paralysis?
Scientists might not know the precise reason only some people have sleep paralysis yet, but there are a growing number of risk factors becoming apparent.
For example, researchers who analyzed 42 studies found several risk factors and associated conditions:
- Sleep problems, changing sleep patterns and shift work.
- Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia and nocturnal leg cramps.
- Stress.
- Some psychiatric groups, particularly those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and panic disorders.
- Substance and medication use.
- Physical illness.
- Personality and anomalous beliefs.
Is there a genetic component to sleep paralysis?
In 2015, British researchers published a study of 862 twins and siblings aged between 22 and 32. They did find some evidence of a genetic role, but only a small one:
In this sample of young adults, sleep paralysis was moderately heritable
Interestingly, they also found other independent risk factors, including:
- Disrupted sleep cycles
- General sleep quality
- Anxiety symptoms
- Exposure to threatening events
Polls – readers’ experience of sleep paralysis
I polled readers of this article for a year to find out what kind of sleep paralysis episodes they had.
Note that it’s likely that many people who search online about it will have had the more frightening episodes, skewing the results.
But they still provide a fascinating insight into what people experience and how they cope.
Poll 1
In poll 1, the most common episode was thinking there was a demon or other being in the room.
Poll 2
Poll 2 shows that many readers find sleep paralysis terrifying. Again, those who search online for it are likely to have found it particularly disturbing.
Poll 3
Poll 3 shows that many readers first experienced sleep paralysis during adolescence.
Poll 4
Poll 4 shows that most readers don’t experience sleep paralysis on a regular basis.
Poll 5
Poll 5 shows some of the ways readers deal with episodes. You’ll find more coping mechanisms below.
The not so scientific explanations for sleep paralysis
Since first writing this article several years ago, there has been an extraordinary number of comments. And the comments show that not everyone accepts the scientific explanation.
Interestingly, some people struggle to accept it even though they consider themselves to be scientifically minded generally. I think these cases highlight just how realistic the experience of sleep paralysis can be; how it can linger in your memory and makes you question what happened for a long time afterward.
The possibility of demons, ghosts, spiritual beings, and aliens all crop up from time to time in the comments too. And while many people accept their experiences as hallucinations or dreams, some people choose to believe another explanation – that those entities are real.
Despite these beliefs, there’s one clear theme: nothing bad ever actually happens, other than being frightened and perhaps losing some sleep after an episode.
Around the world
Cultural beliefs also appear to play a role in how sleep paralysis is perceived by some people.
In Fiji, for example, the demon is sometimes seen as a deceased relative coming back to discuss an important or unfinished matter.
In Chinese folklore, it’s also seen as a ghost rather than a demon or intruder.
Some people in Iran and Pakistan interpret it as demons or spirits taking over your body. This could be due to black magic performed by an enemy.
The common theme is that the entity is usually something to be feared. I’m yet to find a culture which believes it’s a friendly creature!
Sleep paralysis treatment
When to see a doctor
Fortunately, most people don’t experience sleep paralysis very often, and no treatment is usually required.
However, if the following apply to you, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor:
- It happens regularly.
- You’re anxious about sleep paralysis and going to sleep.
- You don’t get enough sleep.
- You feel very sleepy during the day, sometimes fall asleep suddenly or lose control of your muscles.
What medical treatment is available?
If you see a doctor, they might take the following action:
- Refer you to a sleep specialist to assess if you have another sleep disorder, like narcolepsy.
- Treat any underlying psychiatric condition.
- Discuss any medication or substance use that might be a factor.
- Explain the biological processes involved in sleep paralysis to reassure you.
- Talk to you about developing good sleep habits. This is thought to help reduce the frequency of sleep paralysis.
Readers’ techniques for coping with sleep paralysis
Over the years, many readers have described how they cope with sleep paralysis, and I’ve created a list of the most frequent ideas below.
The first seven in the list are also suggested by sleep experts. The rest are a mix of personal opinions. Please bear in mind that none are guaranteed to work:
- Don’t let yourself become too sleep-deprived.
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
- Try to reduce stress and anxiety in your life.
- Try to vigorously flutter your eyelids or move your eyes, as this tends to be an area of the body that’s less affected by the paralysis.
- Focus on wiggling just one finger or a toe.
- Don’t take recreational drugs or drink alcohol in the evening.
- Don’t sleep on your back.
- Stay calm.
- Tell yourself that you’re in control. You can order the experience to stop.
- If you feel a weight on your chest, imagine there’s something friendly causing it.
- Film yourself sleeping so you can see there was nothing in the room.
- Don’t think about what it could be. Your imagination will probably make up something scary in the darkness.
- Organize your bedroom in a way that makes you feel safe and secure.
- Don’t hang dressing gowns, coats, or hats in places that make them look like figures in the dark.
- Sleep with a night light, music, or radio on.
- Remind yourself that nothing bad will happen.
- Imagine your body rolling from side to side in your mind and count each roll. Focus on this and try to grow the capacity for movement from there.
- Count numbers to focus your mind on something else.
- Don’t sleep with a high pillow.
- Keep your eyes shut and try to clear your mind.
- Squeeze your eyes tightly shut if you can control the muscles.
- Keep well hydrated – drink water before going to bed.
- Talk about it to family or friends – they may have experienced it too.
- If you have it once, get out of bed for a while to reset the brain.
- Many people say prayer helps. Some also say that calling on their religious beliefs and commanding what they see to leave helps them.
- Check if any sleeping pills or herbal remedies you’re taking are causing it.
- Use sleep paralysis to lucid dream by relaxing and going with the experience instead of fighting it.
- Once the episode has passed, tell yourself that you overcame it, are not afraid and will always overcome it.
How I recently stopped an episode of sleep paralysis
I successfully used two of the above techniques to stop a recent episode of sleep paralysis.
I woke to find myself in a strange position with my arms crossed on top of my body. And I could literally feel strong hands pinning my wrists to my chest.
I have to admit I was immediately petrified. The whole event was blurry, and I think I was having some dream overlap, but can’t remember exactly what now.
Stay calm and wiggle a finger
Two things sprung to mind after a moment of panic: stay calm and try to wiggle a finger.
The calmness I only managed with moderate success. But I did manage to focus my efforts on moving a finger. It felt quite odd – like my fingers were wiggling in different directions!
Eventually, I felt my arms loosen as well, and soon afterward I was able to shake the whole sensation away as I regained full control.
I then spent a few minutes doing some breathing exercises to ground myself and calm down, and then fell asleep again.
I think just knowing about the finger wiggling technique was enough for me to remember it when the sleep paralysis occurred.
Share your story of sleep paralysis
Have you had sleep paralysis? What happened, and do you have any suggestions to help others deal with it?
Please feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
Heres my solution to fight the paralysis. It works for me when i have these episodes.
You can train to get out of it with will strength and not muscle strength. Same idea with that chinese finger trap. If you use full force it will only counter works.
This paralysis is the same feeling like when u lie in bed in the morning and it feels so nice and warm that you dont want to move a bit. Recognise this feeling?
Well the paralysis you have with an episode is 10 times that feeling. So every morning I trained myself to stand up from the moment i wake up.
That feeling of Will Power is what u can use to get out of the paralysis.
Happends to me alot but now its like a challange to me who is stronger. Won’t get the best out of me.
Happends to me between 3/4 and the only thing u can do is accept that sh*t happends and be brave and be willing to want to punch it in the face
How my episodes goes.
1. When i dream and it slowly becomes a nightmare. (My nightmares are mostly created by black shade or mist beings because i only have nightmares when sh*t is going to get down.)
2. I wake up and I am paralysed ofcourse. They try to feed on that fear. So be brave
3. Try not to fight it but try to get up with your power of will.
4. When i snap out of it i look right at it nd say the f* u want. And it disappears.
Try it out it works for me
I would like so much to join a support group in London for this. I would love to meet other people that have experienced this and share ideas and talk about this and have coffee
NG
Well amazing to find others, Hello to you from NGxx Thank you for this research. This subject really interests me.
Short version. When I was about 13 I used to dream a monk flew over my brother’s bed from the garden into our window and land next to my bed. He had no face and a monks long cape with a hood.
I used to scream out in the dream but could not in reality. Sometimes I would dream I woke but was still sleep and monk was still sting there. I fought hard to wake up and dreaded sleeping. I would dream I woke up and pulled the lamp string next to me on but I was still awake.
Years later as a adult I visited the old house in London and new tenants let me in to look around to my horror I cringed they told me Monks lived on the land 100 years before. I felt I had a big experience that was real. A house share friend at the time said to me recently do you remember when you used to scream out in the night . I felt like ice when she said that. I explained why!? I had the dream years later asked the monk what he wanted .
I can tell you also that I used to tell people I would be in a pop group and two years later I was only for a short time. My mind is very in touch with events and insights thats all I can.
I learnt later into the experience which I had about 10 times to start to control the dreams (not the monk dream) but other dreams I enjoyed this; it was another real reality as far as I am concerned.
Regarding the monk dream I only froze as he approached me not before it was horrible, was total terror. I felt he wanted something he just stod there in silence had a pressence which paralised me. I felt he watched me, wanted something as if I owed him something? as if he was tellling me something or looking for something from me. As if speaking without words.
I feel now I would like to meet the monk again and find out more!
Anyone going throug this in someways it is a gift and you can control it once you drop the fear as the pressence what it wants. Try to understand it even if you think its a hallucination. It can help you feel more in control. Science believes in other dimentions , dark matter, unseen energy which we are yet to understand. Even black holes are incredible and so are Stars how they form in the Nebular know as interstella Nursery.
Control it and work with it.
I had never experienced sleep paralysis until this year, where it’s happened about four times. Last night it happened again. I was drifting off to sleep when I started to hear a mixture of clear and vivid sounds surrounding me, changing from traffic to children laughing to music. It sounded so real yet I was aware it wasn’t possible as I knew I was lying in bed. I drifted into a lucid dream where I decided to enter the body of a ballet dancer and experience the feeling and the weight of dancing. The dream morphed into what I thought was real; I was at work and I felt extremely tired, falling asleep as I was walking on my break. I soon realised it was a dream and I tried to wake up. Seemingly, I did. I got ut of bed and made my way through my apartment as if everything was normal; speaking to my housemates about my lucid dreaming and then I would suddenly realise I hadn’t actually left my bed. This carried on happening repeatedly which became frustrating (It felt a bit like inception). The dreams soon took a darker turn as I felt a presence of evil around me and my chest was being pressed down making it extremely difficult for me to breathe. In desperation to wake up, I was screaming out loud and writhing my body, but as I looked down to my body I could see it was still. The amount of effort and strength it took to even mutter a groan was immense even though inside I was screaming and trying to push through this barrier. The panic started to rise as I felt completely trapped and paralysed. The scariest point was when my body (and I’m sure this happened because I FELT it) started to actually convulse into a fit, shaking uncontrollably causing the bed to rattle loudly. Still, I couldn’t get out of this nightmare. After what felt like forever of crying and screaming, I finally found the ability to move my arm in real life which jerked me awake. My actual body seemed fine- no sweats or pumping heartbeat. I understand the scientific explanation for the sense of detachment, but I don’t see why most people get this feeling of pure terror and evil lurking in the room with them. Seems far too supernatural to me.
I had been sleeping for an hour, when I felt the bed shift – like someone getting into the bed, but there was barely any room for someone on that edge.
I tried reaching but was frozen. I tried opening my eyes, but could not. I tried to call out, “Who is that?”
However, my tongue filled my mouth and I couldn’t move, couldn’t talk. The weight shifted again. Who is in my bed?
I fought the paralysis, and the weight lifted from the bed, right as I was released from the paralysis – I was gasping in a huge breath while trying to scream.
I could see no evidence of a figure, but suddenly I saw glow in the dark spots moving over my head. I was awake now, and tracking what appeared to be a butterfly with glowing spots flit and flutter around the ceiling. I was able to move my head to watch the faint shadow, in the dark room, with the glowing dots.
I kept watching, while I reached for my phone to turn on the light – nothing was there.
I have narcolepsy and experienced sleep paralysis my entire life – usually convinced a robber was in the home while paralyzed as a kid. I have never experienced hallucinations before (unless medicated for other health problems).
I’m worried that my grandmother may have passed and came to visit. I hope not. I want to see her. Otherwise, perhaps my dog who passed was visiting?
Ok, i am 72 and was diagnosed at age 23 with Narcolepsy/Cataplexy/Hypnogogic hallucinations/sleep paralysis. We all know the symptoms of sleep paralysis, so wont repeat them,what i will say is the original reason given in the medical books for all of the above was ( and apparantly there was only a couple of lines about it) these conditions where caused by a great fear happening to the person, they have changed the reasons quite a few times, but i will stick to original. Because at age 13 i had bone operations on my knees, drilled and pined to stop growth, and afterward absolutely no painkillers ( they thought them bad for children) i was in hospital for couple months cried in pain all the time. The pins where to come out after a year and nobody told me that it wouldn’t be as painful this time the night before my operations was my first with sleep paralysis,something came down on top of me, i was driven out of my body through fear, i would be out of my body every night, and the rest is history. Doctors explained it as a condition, i have always thought it was an entity attracted to my puberty and my fear. However, in the last month i watched a guy called Jim Sparks talk on youtube about his abductions by aliens! I bought his book, and was amazed at the descriptions of what happened to him, i recognisd, so, peeps, i am an extremely spiritual person, always had an interst in alien life, i photographed one a few years back passing my house ! P. It has been some years since i had any episodes.
Happened again this morning, third time this year. I was laying on my back asleep can’t remember what I was dreaming about. Suddenly I had pins and needles over my whole body. I felt like my eyes were open and I couldn’t move. I could see a grey misty figure laying not on me but above me. It’s hands were reaching into my body beside each breast. I was trying to say get off me, get off me. Til it felt like i pushed it off. I managed to roll on my side but couldn’t get back to sleep. I have pain under both my armpits now. Very scary.
Am just curious if anyone has ever felt someone holding on to their wist above their head while sleep paralysis happens the other night I expected this I’ve had sleep paralysis before but never like this I did actually wake myself up but was so scared to go back to sleep but I did
Oh YES
I felt like somebody had handcuffed me and was holding my wrists above my head
I tried calling got help but couldn’t utter a word and then suddenly I saw this dark shadow-y figure beside my bed and I immediated broke free
I was so terrified
Ok I am a little perplexed and confused and not sure what to think of it. My son called he is in the military he has been having sleep paralysis for quite some time. He had experienced the last three nights someone cutting his feet or scratching his feet while he slept. The next dream was of him having sleep paralysis and a feeling very hot and sweating really bad and couldn’t move he couldn’t move. He said he looked down at his chest and said steam was rising from it. Then he said he was on fire. He looked down at his feet and saw a man standing there all in black. The man at the foot of the bed let out a scream. My son woke up and said the fire alarm was going off. He got up got dressed and he said he was drenched in sweat. He went out and met the fire dept. outside. They asked him if he was smoking or cooking in his apartment because the sensors show that the fire was detected in his location of basically in his room. He said he was dead asleep and wasn’t cooking or doing anything that would cause an alarm to go off. If anyone can explain that Id like to hear it. Is it a coincidence or is this paranormal stuff idk. Thank you for listening.
This just happen to me for the second time and I’m scared I couldn’t breathe something was choking me and my husband saw the whole thing as it happen to me he said I got stiff like someone was hold me down but the worst part was when I woke up with a hand mark that neither me or him can explain and it wasn’t any of our hands
I had an experience last night with sleep paralysis and I was really tired and I hadn’t gone to sleep yet and it was around 4AM. I was drifting off to sleep and i every time I was almost asleep I heard a demonic voice and one voice whispered ~@$% you in my ear. The voices kept making strange and terrifying noises that I can’t explain. I tried to wake up but my body felt glued down and I couldn’t move or get my body to wake up. The voices kept talking and one was talking about killing people. It sounded like 3-4 voices, possibly 2. I kept imagining getting up and going to my mom’s room and I was trying as hard as I could to wake my body up but I couldn’t. I imagined going into my moms room twice and it felt completely real, like I was actually in there but it wasn’t real and I was just imagining it. I don’t think I ever left my bed. After the demons left I had a lucid dream that I was at a school and I was on drugs and I was acting totally insane. I had no control of what I was doing at all. The people at the school were all doing strange things but nothing creepy. They were making art or music but it was really weird. They were starting to say I was crazy and the students all were scared of me and I promised them I wouldn’t ever hurt them or do anything but I don’t remember what happened next. I must have woken up right when they started to get scared of me.
I unfortunately went to jail for two days, my first and only time. I was sleeping on the top bunk with 4 other woman in my cell. I woke up to the feeling of being punched in the head, I was on my back looking up, I could not move, I tried to call out for help and couldnt. It happened one more time that night. After the episodes I sat up in my bunk and all 4 woman were asleep, they were very nice woman. I didnt say anything because I was freaked out. I am a VERY sceptical person and tend to not believe anything. I am a mother, wife, daughter and have lived a blessed life. But I double guess this night over and over. Right before I feel asleep there was a woman screaming in a isolated cell that she was a demon, going to kill the guards baby, just horrible horrible evil things she was screaming erratically. Idk, I dont think it could of been anything bad, but I question it.
I have experience this many finally found out why this happens…due to low blood and have not eaten a good meal.
It’s to the side. Out of the corner of my eye I can see my bedroom door opening. Luckily, I have some mobility from my right arm, as I try frantically to push my head over to see the door. Finally, I get my head turned. As soon as I do, I see a shadow figure in the window. It’s trying to reach in and undo the latch. For some reason it’s eyes are glowing. I know that if I can just get my body moving it doesn’t stand a chance, but I’m frozen. While I fight my limp body for feeling, it fights to open my widow. With everything I have, screaming in my head; get up! I slowly gain control of my facilities. It’s a race to have control of me. As long as I win I’m still here, and it goes back where it came from. “Not strong enough to beat me” I say to myself, gaining full control. Sitting up in bed to assure myself that I did win and I am still here, I check the door and window. Looking out into the deep dark night, not afraid anymore, I declare again, “not strong enough to beat me”. Whatever it is, it’s not the first time and I know it won’t be the last.
The fear usually starts before going to sleep. Followed by a Lucid dream, and floating sensation. Next, three growling dark shadow figures slowly get closer. GROWLING INTENSIFIES, pure fear and dread follow, sound is manipulated, making the sound of my fan, or A/C slow down, to a “whoosh!”(I usually try to pull out at thIs point). Once they show up, the whole bedroom seems to shutter at low vibrations. One appears in the bedroom doorway, window, and closet doorway. The growling gets louder as they approach, while on the left side of my face, out of my peripheral vision, one of the hooded figures screams violently in my ear. Tried to look, but it manages to always just stay out of view, while the other 2 observe. As I pull out of it, the growls and screaming tend to fade, sometimes taking longer than expected. Fear like you can’t imagine floods every fiber of your being. Happens every once in a while, seems too calculated and real, either Interdimensional beings or ultra clear hallucination.
I saw the hooded figures during sleep paralysis as well!! AND heard creepy growling. I started having it around age 15. The first time it happened was the worst. I was taking a nap and only had a couple hours of sleep the night before. I was very tired. I woke up to my mom yelling from the downstairs telling me to wake up. I couldn’t open my eyes or move. I could hear her though. Then, I heard loud sirens and sounds like a really loud garage door opening and shutting. Even though my eyes were closed and I couldn’t open them, red was everywhere. I felt an evil presence pressing on me. I also heard a growling sound and could “see” hooded figures swarming around. I can honeslty say that I was never so scared before. I tried to move but couldn’t. Then, I finally woke fully up and my heart was racing and I was hyperventilating. I was crying and couldn’t understand what the hell happend. I have had numerous episodes after that, but that one was the worst!!
I never thought anyone else was going threw what I’m going threw. My first experience was this year a few months back. I want to say July. I was house sitting for some old friends while they went away to Dallas for the weekend. So I invited my girlfriend over so I wouldn’t be alone. That’s always scared me . I used to love being by myself but now I can’t stand it . So me and my girlfriend were laying down in the room and we were going to take a nap . As she drifted asleep I started to feel my self fall myself drift away .Then I heard someone scream this terrifying scream in my ear ! It sounded so evil yet it also sounded like a whisper. I don’t k oq if that makes any sense . But I felt as if this women was right next to my ear and she said ” I’m coming for you ” I was terrified . I woke up and dragged my girlfriend to the living room with me . But that wasn’t it .I had another episode . This time I felt as if my whole family was beating murdered in the room next to me. And I could hear them screaming . I couldn’t get up . I couldn’t move my hands or legs. I tried to scream so loud but nothing came out . Then I felt the pressure on my body . And fought with it till I finally woke up in a dark room where it felt like someone was staring at me . My next episode was just a month ago . Me and my wife were laying down and I was a bit drunk so I tried hard to go to sleep . I felt my self fall into this light . And in the light it started to form a beautiful face . Now I’m already aware I can’t move nothing in my body . So I try not to panic and focus on revealing who’s face I was floating into . Then it formed Into Jesus. And then this terrible , evil , demonic being who resembled a little boy covered the godly picture and started saying ” this isn’t real, he isn’t real, he can’t save you , nothing can save you ” so I felt my chest start pumping really fast then realized I was having a anxiety attack in my sleep ! Which my wife quickly woke me up and got me to calm down from . My last episode was last night .i was scared for some reason as I was falling asleep and I heard a women scream in my head again just as I was about to fall asleep. She screamed my name as if she was trying to come for me or save me . I can’t figure it out . I was scared and had my wife hold me the rest of the night .
Last night i felt a pressure on mybed as if someone was kneeling on it and stroking my hair,i turned my head and saw a bluish purple light that just arked upward. Then i felt my body floating of the bed. I tried to scream but couldnt make a sound.
Ngg o. It
Several times I’ve had the experience of being pulled sideways off the bed and landing softly to the floor then getting up and getting back into bed, once I felt as if I was floating towards a doorway with a bright light at the end of it then being pulled back on to the bed !, another time I felt as if someone was sitting on my legs and rocking but I couldn’t move but my daughter heard me shout at it ! The other week I was asleep on the sofa when I felt as iv someone was shining a,bright light in my eyes and I couldn’t move!
Only had 1 experience. At the time, had recently separated from my bf (2011) and had the apt to myself. Had just bought a new tv (he took the old one without my consent). After falling asleep I had a dream that 3 men in black clothing scaled up to my 3rd floor apt, somehow strapped the 47″ tv to their back and were on their way back off the balcony. Sounds absolutely ridiculous, I know. But the intense anger I felt was insane and in my dream, all I wanted was to catch them and beat them (1 girl against 3 men didn’t matter at the time). When I tried to get up amd yell, I found I couldn’t do either, which enraged me even more! I ended up finally waking in a slow but escalating roar (aaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHHH) and was able to break the paralysis and sit up. Nothing happened to the tv, and no one was there. Strangest thing I’ve ever felt. Nothing like that has happened since.
I’ve saw a demon by my bedside once, thought it was sleep paralysis but I could move, avoid it if possible
I had my first epxerience of sleep paralysis when I was 18years old. I am now 25 and I am still having it. More regularly now than before. I’ve had it so many times I’m not even scared anymore. It’s like a normal thing to me now. I tried many techniques to stop it but it just keeps coming back. I even tried to see doctors but they all say the same thing, “don’t be stressed”, keep healthy diet, regular exercise and make your bed time consistent, etc” whatever, I don’t even care anymore. It’s just a part of me now I guess. haha
I have suffered from various episodes. My worst was waking up and seeing a man climb through my window climb on top of me and start strangling me. I turn to my husband who’s in bed next to me but I can’t speak. I’ve also had ones where my sheets are pulled down off my bed and then something grabs my legs and drags me down the bed. The other night I felt someone shake my bed and then my covers lifted and I felt my mattress go down like someone had got in my bed I actually woke myself up screaming. Although in my head I now know what these episodes are it’s still scary but I’m used to it and soon go back to sleep. I can’t fathom why this happens but fortunately they’re not too regular
Amazing but horrible situation. I had similar I posted my a my story as NG . My monk story involved the monk tiggling me under my arms with long finger nails like stroking I became paralysed . Like you I screamed out with all my power and entire house heard it.
I felt that this monk was real very real. Like you got used to waking myself up after about 10 experiences. years later I was told that monks lived on that land 100 years before I felt like ice when I was told.
Life is interesting xx
Also my covers used to come down to belly button area and the finger of this monk tiggled me in a slow morbid way under my arms, my arms would rise up while this happened automactically. Then this monk would go.
There is no way this was real as in real life the house was full of people and my brother shared my room. I was about 13 or 14. See my story below as NG
I’m 32 years old. This has happened twice in my life, but it was more than sleep paralysis. I’ve had sleep paralysis where I wake, but my body will not move. More so annoying than absolutely the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had. This last time was different. For the last week prior to the events of last night, i had a desk fan fall off its very stable platform within 2 minutes of laying down for the night. Happens one time, I get up, feel a little creeped out, put back where it was and it doesn’t move. No external source could cause this. It could not walk on its own. It stays on all day, is on the other side of the room, but falls off backward as if it jumps off its very stable base within 2 minutes of me laying down. Never happened before, but started happening once each night. Once replaced, it’s stable until the following evening after I lay down for the night. Fast forward to last night.I am in the living room. I fall asleep, Im having a dream about sneaking around somewhere, but not a nightmare…just a dream. Fully able to realize i am dreaming. Then I “wake up”….i am awake, in my living room, everything as it should be…but across the room is a lady in an off-white night gown, black slightly frizzled hair parted down the middle looking down. At the very instant I mentally acknowledge her presence her head shoots up and we make direct eye contact..well, she made eye contact as if she had been waiting for me to be conscious of her presence. Her eyes were off white, slightly glowing in contrast to her dark hair and shadowed face. She looked right at me. No pupils..just completely white and a face that was not pleasant. Old but not too old, but not settling in any way. As her mouth opened, she never moved toward me, but I could hear her screaming in my ear as if she was on a megaphone right next to my head. She screamed, “I AM COMING OUT TOMORROW. GOOOO!!!” almost like thunder. I didn’t feel like it was so much a warning, but a threat. Nothing pleasant about her/its presence. In fact, it was the most terrified I have ever been in my entire life. Couldn’t move, couldn’t scream. However, I could push out low moans. It took every ounce of strength and focus to groan out “NOOOOOO” from the deepest parts of chest….but as if I was screaming “NOOO” with my body and not my voice. Then she was gone. I was left with terror, soaked in cold sweat, and a vibrating tingle crawling up and down my spine and legs as I lied there trying to figure out what just occurred. I remembered the dream of sneaking around..then I remembered this. The dream was very much a dream of sneaking. The women was very much not a part of that dream. When she disappeared, her voice echoed in my head and I was able to move, but my surroundings were exactly the same. I was awake, had been awake, but now was able to control my body. I spent the next 30 minutes trying to control my heart rate and reduce the tingling running up and down my spinal cord. The entire time feeling like I was not yet alone. Then it was gone. The feeling, the terror, the tingling…gone. I rolled over and fell back asleep. No more dreams, just uninterrupted sleep. The next morning I continued to try and convince myself it was a dream…until I realized my air conditioner was not going off. When I looked at it, it was set at 75F…i have never set it below 79 in my life. It is programmed to be constant at 79. It hadn’t been touched in over a year. She was standing right next to it throughout that experience…I realized that this was a reminder that what happened was real. Not something just in my mind. This event occurred. And it was very much an event that I needed not pass off as a dream. I’m shook…truly, deeply, shook
I experience sleep paralysis because of insomnia fatigue, and I finally realized that if the problem is that mind is awake and my body is asleep, I can just TELL my brain to wake up the body. I works instantly unless I am REEEALLY sleep deprived.
Well this was really helpful so am currently 21 and I just had a serious sleep paralysis I think in my whole life iv had it 2 ot 3 times had it years back and after that I haven’t felt it until now. I woke up and was trying to fall back asleep usually I wake up easily and find it hard to fall back asleep and as I was trying to go bj to sleep when it felt like I had almost slept then my body couldn’t move I couldn’t tlk I could do nothing and it felt like my eyes were open but at the same time closed and it is scary as hell and yes I have an insane imagination so I kept on trying to scream literally but it wasn’t working so I tried talking in my mind since I couldn’t open my mouth I decided to talk but in my mind ….. and I some how got out of it woke up left my room immediately turned the light on and went to sit in the toilet that’s like my comfort zone but honestly this happened at 5 am and it’s now 6:14am am finding it so hard to fall bk asleep I mean I don’t even want to go bk to sleep my hear is racing .
Hi Ella..i experienced this as well recently…first time so bad i went to emerg..i couldnt shake the terror..(i understand now the sleep paralysis probably triggered a panic attack that triggered tense muscles that caused a lingering numbness) so ya..thought i was having a stroke! Now that i have understanding i have since had it happen twice more but without the panic it isnt all that bad an experience…i simply start praying in my mind and go with it…i feel the complete relaxedness of my body and last night as i was in the midst of a dream containing some evil characters i let it flow and ‘rewrote’ the dream…it was like watching a movie play out…when the feelining passed i was almost disapointed lol….praying you dont become afraid to sleep! Take care..vicky
I’m currently 12, and just last night I had my first sleep paralysis episode. Trust me, it’s scary; it honestly does feel like paranormal activity or something strange.
My experience was a nightmare followed by an episode- I don’t want to explain the nightmare as it may be too graphic or frightening for some people, but the episode went like this. Jolting awake from the nightmare, I was hazily conscious and startled. Then, suddenly, I felt this daunting feeling of evil, and I couldn’t move, and something was breathing right under me. I couldn’t breath- it felt like the thing had somehow taken control of my lungs or something and now it was both breathing for itself and me. I felt vulnerable and helpless, and I thought I was dying and it was sucking the life out of me before I fell back asleep.
After a second strange dream, I woke up in the morning and was hit by another round of the lung demon thing. I could hear my actual parents downstairs, making breakfast and talking, but when I desperately tried to cry out for help, I couldn’t. The breathing became almost painful, like My lungs were gone and my chest cavity was now filled with the monster’s lungs.
As a 12 year old girl, I was frightened and terrified and believed that some supernatural demonicforce was killing me. All I could do was focus and pray- I’m not saying that being religious or anything is how to stop it- but the fear was somehow replaced by determination and brutal calm when i prayed. Finally, I was able to squeak ‘mom’ and this huge was of relief fell through me. The monster just fell away and disappeared, and I got the hell off that bed.
This morning has been dedicated to researching sleep paralysis, and now that I understand the scientific process of what is happening, I feel more reassured. My paralysis is genetic. My mom, grandma, and even my dad’s side of the family has had it. To anyone experiencing this, I just want you to know that you are definitely not alone and that although the fear is tremendous, you have to remember that it is NOT REAL.
A good scientific explanation for different sleep disorders, however is the belief in actual entities so far fetched? Maybe the consciousness level at that precise moment in time is the level needed for outside influences to interact with humans
What’s crazy about mine is it only lasted like 10 sec when usually it last for a couple minutes but there was an exorcist and my mom was sitting on the couch next to me and I suddenly yelled it out of no where “I don’t want to go to sleep” at this moment I knew I was in sleep paralysis and I was just praying I could just wake up this time but then my mom looked at me with the most evil look and asked me “u don’t want to go to sleep? Okay say leave me alone” do I said it once but the second and third time I said it I could hear anything but felt my lips moving then, I looked at the got in the room and as soon as that happens I woke right up, but when all this was going on I couldn’t move my body or breathe very well at all so i think that sense I knew I was I was in sleep paralysis it kinda made me stay calm and thats what woke me right up
I have had sleep paralysis for awhile now and it started off as innocent. My first time was when I was about 11 or 12 and I woke to a sound of tapping on my wall. I look up and there is a huge hair spider crawling up it and I could see each one of the hairs very clearly. I freaked out of course. My biggest and scariest one was last year when I woke to hear a lady humming. I was in fetal position and my sheets over my whole body,I couldn’t move or speak but my eyes were open. I felt the lady get on top of me and here hair touched my face. I felt here breath on me as she said very clearly,”Do you want to die,still?”. I was absolutely terrified. She began to shake my bed back and forth and I tried to scream. In my brain I kept saying this isn’t real but it really felt like it was. So I tried talking and planned to scream GET OUT! But when I mustered the strength instead I just scream GAAAAHHH!!! Everything went away but I laughed to myself for just saying one letter.
Just woke up from sleep
paralysis and it was terrifying. I woke on my back and and to the right of me I could feel a face right next time talking in my ear. I cant recall what it was saying but it was in English. It felt like an alien presence. I heard buzzing and sparks from the right side of my room, almost like a light flashing. I couldn’t speak but I was able to mubble, like a very quite scream. The more I tried to make noise, the less I could hear the voice and buzzing so I was desperately trying to make any sound that would come out of me. I’ve had sleep paralysis before but I’ve never experience a presence until tonight. I’m scared to go back to sleep but I know it wasn’t real, it just feels like it does and that’s the worst part.
ever since I was little I have experienced a lot of paranormal stuff that I cannot explain neither would love to explore just wish it would stop from the demonic dreams to the sleep paralysis to the things I sometimes see or feel I’ve been told am sensitive to those things but choose to not believe maybe be am naïve or just plainly delusional. I have experienced sleep paralysis enough to understand that each episode I get gets worse and more real like if whatever is after me keeps getting closer to me like its breaking my wall ( metaphorically speaking ) down till it finally gets a hold of me I sound crazy I know. let me tell you about my recent episode that happened a few hours ago while its still fresh though I doubt Il forget I was deeply asleep when suddenly I wake up to a blurry but clear image of something not human like hovering over me I laid there in terror frozen unable to move I tried to scream for help that wasn’t happening the only thing I was able to do was reach out my hand towards whatever was beside me and the only word I was able to shout was GOD over and over again till it stopped well at least that’s what I thought to my surprise it happened tree times in arrow the exact same way it was like if I was stuck in a loop from hell
Last night at around 3:00 am I was sleeping and had a little conversation in my dream of me saying that im scared then I heard somebody else say don’t worry the lord will protect you then the fan in my room started blowing a ton of air and I woke up and couldn’t move it was probably the scariest 10 seconds of my life I felt pressure on my stomach and after it was over i called my girlfriend who had experienced this and she helped me through my fears
Last night on Aug 31st, I believe I experienced another sleep paralysis. I remember falling asleep stomach faced down the way I always do. It was approximately 11pm and I needed to sleep to wake up at 4am to start my new job and well I woke up 1 hour after I fell asleep. I remember slightly waking up in my normal position and I started to drift off to sleep again in the darkened room when I suddenly felt that something was now on the bed with me and as soon as I realized it, It mustve realized that I was aware and It layed itself on me in the same position I was in. I tried to move but I couldnt and the fear got to me so badly that I tried so hard to shake it off of me. At this point my muscles ached from me forcing them and I tried to yell out at my roomate for help when nothing happened not even able to open my mouth as if it were melting into a combined surface. At this point my muscles felt heavy but I managed to reach and grab my phone laying not to far from me. My plan was to emit some light but the phone wouldnt work, as if it was dead but I had just pulled it out the charger. My next move was to concentrate my now heavy and tired body to force myself to bang my head towards the wall and make noise but with the momentum I had it was not possible just a tap. I now lost hope of escaping and told myself to relax, I felt myself relaxing and the presence began to fade, just before was completely gone it whispered in my ear. A female voice so soft had whispered “why” and I was now awake phone working.
A Couple months back I remember waking up on my back stretched out, which was wierd since I have never fell asleep on my back nor woken up that way before. When I say stretched out I mean like in a star shape. Anyways that night I fell asleep on my stomach like I always do and well as far as my room goes, the window is a few feet away from the foot of my bed and when I awoke faced up stretched out I realized that I could not move at all except my head which could only manage a slight angle nothing else. I closed my eyes and tried to reopen them to wake up but nothing same position same situation. I tried to close my eyes and reopen them 5 more times and on the last time the sun through the window brightened and there was now a silhouette of a dark tall figure standing in my room at the foot of my bed. I quickly closed my eyes and opened them to see nothing and I was now able to move. This was the first experience from the many that have now occurred.
I frequently have sleep paralysis episodes starting when i was in my teens. I’m now 34 and they never get easier. At least twice a month i have one and often slip in and out of paralysis back to back multiple times in a row. I’ve run the gambit from intruders, to out of body, exploding head syndrome, to unfortunate demon-like entities. Its always scary and unsettling.
Generally there are two visitors that frequent my nights. There’s a small one that often teases me. He usually either breathes heavily or makes rustling or scratching noises near my bed and giggles when it notices my terror. Other times it will be in bed with me tickling my back or neck. Or it will sit in the window and giggle and mock me.
The other i call raw meat cause that’s what it smells like. This one screams and thrashes me. Only shows up when I’m facing the wall so I can’t ever see it. But it is the worst part of my entire existence. Its only been there a handful of times but it is a constant source of anxiety.
The little one has only been there at the same time once and didn’t like raw meat at all. Almost protective of me.
Other times I’ve had three men standing over me talking in a very clinical sort of way. As though they were discussing me. Once i had something bulge through the window and crush me. Something even tried to drag me off of my friends couch and into the refrigerator.
I’d hate sleeping if I didn’t also have amazing dreams. I just never know what I’m in for
I experienced what I believe was sleep paralysis for the first time last night. I had trouble falling asleep. When I finally did fall asleep, I had dreams that I was involuntarily floating around in circles on the ceiling of my bedroom. Usually, dreams of floating in the air are pleasant. Mine was the opposite. It was something that felt menacing and I had little to no control over it. I felt very vulnerable. I believe the frightening dream caused me to wake up. But when I woke up, I couldn’t move or open my eyes. I don’t know if I was completely paralyzed. My body felt so heavy. Maybe I could muster all of my strength to slightly move. But it was not easy. I couldn’t speak either. I could hear myself moaning, trying to call for help. I don’t know if this was actually sleep paralysis, but it was terrifying.
I don’t remember much but about 5 months ago I had woken up on my back completely paralyzed and it felt like I was dreaming and conscious at the same time. I had full control of moving my neck but everything else was paralyzed. To make this story short I had look to the left where my bedroom door was and I saw 2 tall black shadow stick figures opening my door and flailing their arms and they had felt an evil presence from “them”. That’s all I remember, I don’t remember how I woke up…
I had my first episode one night last week. Felt surrounded by a heavy evil force which was pressing the life out of me. Couldn’t speak…couldn’t talk. Tried to pray “Please God help me.” The word please was not audible but the word “God” was audible, and I could then move. The release was like a miracle.
I don’t know why some nights I get sleep paralysis. I first had it when I was a kid. I heard voices and the voices we’re speaking super fast and loud. I experienced it a lot of times growing up. I am 24 now and still experience it every now and then. I usually experience them when I can’t fall asleep immediately. Usually when I’m tossing and turning and slowly falling into sleep will I experience it. I am paralyzed and there are voices and shadows. I can’t breathe and I try waking myself up but I can’t. I try to move my arm or lift my head. Every time I think I’m going to die because I can’t breathe. After what feels like forever I finally wake up. Im so sleepy but I don’t want to fall back asleep for fear it happens again. There have been times when I’ve had episodes back to back. I’ve been trying to fall into a regular sleep pattern to hopefully decrease my sleep paralysis occurrences.
mines started as a kid too with all of the fast talking voices but they were also loud but i am now 18 and its really terrifying because it happens often and i am questioned on the real reason for it. I understand all of the scientists telling people about what it might be but this could be something serious even though anyone hasn’t got hurt yet but there’s something behind all of this.
I had a different kind of sleep paralysis last night right before going to sleep. The first one I had a month ago triggered by a horrible nightmare.. Can’t move or scream seemed liked forever. The latest one was last night around 12. It was more terrifying then the first one. I was lying on my back one arm out of the cover. Falling asleep all of a sudden I couldn’t move, if I did loud high pitch sound overcome my hearing then I would be “dragged” to the other side of the bed. I could open my eyes but it was pitch black so I think I was dreaming all this but felt awake. Then if I stop trying to move the sound went away. The longer I tried to move the louder the sound got. It got very cold too. I couldn’t scream either. While all this was happening I though my great aunt passed and came to me. She’s very sick.then I though it was a demon or alien trying to talk to me. Then it passed the room went back to where I can see the back porch light coming in the window. After wards I felt a relief it was done but felt sadden that it left and why it came to me.
I have had sleep paralysis basically fairly consistently since my late teens. I’m 26 now and the last few nights I have been getting it non stop. When I say non stop, I mean it happens multiple times during the night. Also, unlike before, these episodes are happening for multiple minutes at a time. It’s an extremely unsettling feeling. I just went through an episode where I was sleeping, woke up, couldn’t move, and I heard a full on conversation with two people. I don’t remember now what they were saying but they were speaking English and I could understand at the time what they were saying. When I snapped out of that, I fell back asleep to wake up paralyzed again to two of my friends fighting extremely loud at each other. After I snapped out of that, I was so tired I went back to sleep again. Minutes later, I woke up paralyzed again. This time, people were in my room. I don’t know if they were friends or not but they were writing on my wall in red marker. I don’t know exactly what they were writing but I layed there paralyzed for what felt like 10 mins but in reality was about 4 minutes which is still a ridiculous amount of time to be dealing with this. I kept trying to spit out words saying I’m going to kill you when I break out of this and at the same time begging for help from one of these “people” to wake me up. when I finally snapped out of it, I said screw this. I at least need to wake up for a little bit. I can’t deal with one more episode like this or I’m literally going to lose my mind. And every time it happened, I knew I was dealing with sleep paralysis which kept me at least somewhat calmer. Even so, every time I did break out of my paralysis, I was still shocked st the fact that these events actually were all in my mind…..