Chronic Sleep Paralysis, A Documentation
I've been having episodes of sleep paralysis on and off for about 6 years now, but I'll never forget the first time it occurred. I was in 8th grade and I was in my room about to go to sleep. It was around 1am. I slowly drifted off to sleep like usual, and at some point in the night I awoke. Everything seemed normal, the fan was creaking overhead, the soft glow of my cd/radio illuminated the room, but, the second I awoke, something felt wrong. I felt extremely frightened like there was some looming ominous thing near that was going to hurt me. Looking over towards the door, I could see that it was cracked open, and there in the sliver I saw what looked to be a huge black shiny eye peering in at me. So naturally, I attemped to get up and turn the light on, but I soon realized I couldn't move at all. I was completely paralyzed and the second I realized this the terror became even more extremely intense. I glanced back over to see if it was still there, and it was in the door now: A tiny (about 3-1/2 ft tall), gray alien. Standing there. I blinked or glanced away or something and looked back and he was no longer at the door. Now he was standing about 4 feet away from my bed. Still not moving, just staring at me. I squirmed and thrashed but I just couldn't move. I looked away one final time and looked back-and I swear to God I have never been more scared in my entire life than I was at this moment- he was inches away from my face. Huge black eyes staring at me in the most menacing way imaginable. After about what seemed like forever, I snapped out of it and woke up, lungs pumping, heart beating, drenched in sweat. At the time, I was positive that it was real.
Now this desciption really doesn't do it justice for someone who has never experienced sleep paralysis first-hand. Let me start off at the beginning. Like many sleeping disorders, not much is known about what actually causes sleep paralysis. Basically what it is, is a state of consciousness where your body is still in sleep-mode, but your mind is (sort of) awake. When you sleep, your body naturally shuts down all motor reflexes so you won't act out your dreams, react to everything you hear or smell, etc, thus leaving you 'paralyzed' until its time to wake up. So, during REM sleep, your brain is awakened, but your body is still in its paralyzed state. This causes the person to be fully aware, but unable to move. In addition, this state is normally accompanied by certain specific kinds of hallucinations.
The two most common qualities in these hallucinations are vividness and fear. Most people who experience SP have been known to sense a malevolent presence in the room, pressure/weight on the body (especially the chest), a sensation of not being able to breathe, and an impending sense of doom/death. Other fairly common hallucinations are auditory hallucinations (often footsteps, or indistinct voices, or pulsing noises) and visual hallucinations such as lights, people, or shadows walking around the room. Less common instances have been reported of floating sensations (sometimes associated with out-of-body experiences), seemingly seamless transition into full hallucinations or dreaming, also associated with out-of-body experiences, and tactile hallucinations (such as a hand touching or grabbing). Very very rare cases may also experience falling sensation, vibration, and involuntary movements (sometimes the feeling of sliding off the bed or even up walls)
In my personal experiences with SP, I have experienced just about all of these. Everytime it happens its always as intense as the first time. Things moving in your periphery, horrible noises. The auditory hallucinations are the worst. The weirdest most unnatural sounds you'll ever hear; noises that sound like they came straight from hell. I've seen demons, witches, shadows, horrible horrible things that I cannot explain. The sense of terror that accompanies SP is completely indescribable. You see and hear things your imagination couldn't possibly conjure in your darkest nightmares, and it all seems so real. Anyone who has experienced it will totally agree thats its the most unpleasant experience you will ever endure.
Despite all of these awful things, however, SP does have its cool side. Occasionally, you can recognize that its happening and can tell lucidly yourself that it's all a hallucination, thus negating the fear, allowing for you to "float" or "fall." Sometimes this even happens naturally. Floating is one of the coolest feelings in the world; it's like you are 5 feet above your body and completely and totally numb. I've experienced all sorts of crazy hallucinations and out of body experiences from it, and a lot of them are actually really cool.
There are a few known factors that attribute to invoking sleep paralysis. Increased stress, irregular sleeping schedules (naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation), and sleeping in unfamiliar places are a few, but one of the most common causes is sleeping in a supine position (on your back.) Various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives. Oh and a lot of people usually experience it soon after (in many cases the night of) reading about it for the first time. Suckaz.
Now this desciption really doesn't do it justice for someone who has never experienced sleep paralysis first-hand. Let me start off at the beginning. Like many sleeping disorders, not much is known about what actually causes sleep paralysis. Basically what it is, is a state of consciousness where your body is still in sleep-mode, but your mind is (sort of) awake. When you sleep, your body naturally shuts down all motor reflexes so you won't act out your dreams, react to everything you hear or smell, etc, thus leaving you 'paralyzed' until its time to wake up. So, during REM sleep, your brain is awakened, but your body is still in its paralyzed state. This causes the person to be fully aware, but unable to move. In addition, this state is normally accompanied by certain specific kinds of hallucinations.
The two most common qualities in these hallucinations are vividness and fear. Most people who experience SP have been known to sense a malevolent presence in the room, pressure/weight on the body (especially the chest), a sensation of not being able to breathe, and an impending sense of doom/death. Other fairly common hallucinations are auditory hallucinations (often footsteps, or indistinct voices, or pulsing noises) and visual hallucinations such as lights, people, or shadows walking around the room. Less common instances have been reported of floating sensations (sometimes associated with out-of-body experiences), seemingly seamless transition into full hallucinations or dreaming, also associated with out-of-body experiences, and tactile hallucinations (such as a hand touching or grabbing). Very very rare cases may also experience falling sensation, vibration, and involuntary movements (sometimes the feeling of sliding off the bed or even up walls)
In my personal experiences with SP, I have experienced just about all of these. Everytime it happens its always as intense as the first time. Things moving in your periphery, horrible noises. The auditory hallucinations are the worst. The weirdest most unnatural sounds you'll ever hear; noises that sound like they came straight from hell. I've seen demons, witches, shadows, horrible horrible things that I cannot explain. The sense of terror that accompanies SP is completely indescribable. You see and hear things your imagination couldn't possibly conjure in your darkest nightmares, and it all seems so real. Anyone who has experienced it will totally agree thats its the most unpleasant experience you will ever endure.
Despite all of these awful things, however, SP does have its cool side. Occasionally, you can recognize that its happening and can tell lucidly yourself that it's all a hallucination, thus negating the fear, allowing for you to "float" or "fall." Sometimes this even happens naturally. Floating is one of the coolest feelings in the world; it's like you are 5 feet above your body and completely and totally numb. I've experienced all sorts of crazy hallucinations and out of body experiences from it, and a lot of them are actually really cool.
There are a few known factors that attribute to invoking sleep paralysis. Increased stress, irregular sleeping schedules (naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation), and sleeping in unfamiliar places are a few, but one of the most common causes is sleeping in a supine position (on your back.) Various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives. Oh and a lot of people usually experience it soon after (in many cases the night of) reading about it for the first time. Suckaz.