Have you ever had a dream where you knew you was asleep and couldn't wake up?

Question

I've had this dream several times. I would be asleep and knew I was asleep and I'd try to wake up and couldn't. I'd try to open my eyes and couldn't. I'd try to yell to get someone to wake me up and nothing would come out. It's really weird. Has anyone else had dreams like this?

I do remember in one of the dreams I kept saying someone please wake me up and my dad, who is dead, appeared at the foot of my bed and told me that if I would calm down he would wake me up. I calmed down and woke up.

Answer 1

Yes, it's called lucid dreaming. And it is considered a gift. Not everyone has this ability.

Lucid dreaming refers to being aware that you are dreaming and being conscious throughout your dream. I am able to do this, too. Basically, every time I dream, I realize I am dreaming. When I have nightmares, all I have to do to wake up is to ask myself to. Sometimes, I scream in my dream and then I wake up abruptly. Sometimes, I just keep saying 'wake up, wake up' until I do. Sometimes, all I have to do is think about it and in the next second, I'm awake. I have various methods, and they all work.

But I have to tell you this. I have had dreams (nightmares to be exact) when I tried to wake up and I couldn't. None of the methods I usually used worked in those moments. Those dreams were related to God and religion, and personal things that make me feel guilty. And all those were terrible nightmares in which I was feeling really guilty, and I was trying to get rid of them and wake up. And in those dreams, the only method that worked for me was praying. I was basically dreaming and praying at the same time, and I only managed to wake up when the prayer was over. And when I woke up, I was freaked out. It was like some kind of entity was following me and punishing me, and the only way I could pay was if I prayed or acknowledged it by praying. Lol.

I also had experiences similar to yours. I had nightmares and I felt trapped in them, and the fact that I was aware that i was dreaming made me feel even more trapped and even more scared. It made me feel as if I was in another world and I couldn't get out of it. By the way, there is a theory that when people dream, their souls or minds transcend their bodies and they go beyond to other atmospheres and sometimes even into the future - that's how predictions in dreams are explained. This theory comes from a psychologist I used to know, so for all we know, it may be true, and it may have something to do with your dream experiences, too.

Anyway, if you keep having these dreams, I advise you to concentrate all your energy on waking up. If you concentrate, it's impossible to not succeed. Lucid dreaming also allows people to control their dreams and to model them so that they can dream whatever they want to. So if you have reached the stage when you are aware that you are dreaming then it means you can reach the stage where you can control your dreams! All you have to do is practice. So far, I have managed to control my dreams, but I'm still working on it. People have to practice a lot in order to be able to be aware of their dreams, but it seems like in your case it is a gift, a talent. So use it, don't waste it.

Here's a site that tells you more about lucid dreaming:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Lucid_Dreaming

EDIT

See, I told you, the only thing you need to do in order to wake up is calm down, focus and gather all your energy. Just like I said before, sometimes dreams can be related to traveling to other atmospheres, so maybe the fact that you dreamed of your dad wasn't a mere coincidence. If you need more help or more info or anything, you can message me on yahoo messenger. My id is my user name.

Answer 2

This is called sleep paralysis and for some it can be extremely terrifying. I know because I use to suffer from it. When you experience this your mind is in fact awake but, your body is still asleep. Often there will be a presence of someone or thing else in the room and generally "their" intent is to harm you. Some have reported feeling a weight baring down on their chest by this presence as if someone was sitting on them. You are left physically numb and while it may last only a couple of minutes can feel like hours. There are many ways you can prevent sleep paralysis and in severe cases(say every week) there is medication. In my case I found that knowledge of this phenomenon was key. I could write a book on this for you but I suggest you Google "sleep paralysis" and read up. Good luck:o)

Answer 3

Yeah- the type of dream you are describing is scientifically referred to as a lucid dream. Unless you have these dreams every night, I would suggest that you just relax and try to take advantage of the situation you're in each time you have a lucid dream- since you're in a dream, that means you can do things that would kill you in real life and survive them, so you're basically invincible. For example, I remember running and jumping off a cliff during one of the lucid dreams I've had before.

Answer 4

I've actually had dreams where I woke up from the dream and was glad it was over but yet I was simply in another dream, dreaming that I had had that dream. Another time I was having such a good dream that I had had before but this time I pinched myself just so I knew it was finally not just a dream. I felt the pinch so I knew it was actually real and I was soooo happy....but then I did wake up.

Answer 5

It doesn't happen often for me, it does happen.

But I am usually in a lot of control when it comes to dreams. Well...kindof.

I usually don't realize I am dreaming, then when something really bad happens or I am feeling miserable, or something isn't going my way in the dream, I suddenly remember that I am dreaming. I wake myself up, then for 4 minutes I concentrate on what I WANT the dream to be like, then the dream actually happens, it is really cool!

Answer 6

Yes, I've had dreams like that before when I was in my early 20's. I don't know why I dreamed it but was scary the first time it happened but I haven't had one like that in a long time. Don't worry, you'll always wake up and eventually you'll stop having dreams like that.

Answer 7

Yes once I had and I was late for school. I hate these type of dreams. I felt weird, too. I hope that it doesn't come again, it sounds crazy like a hypnotisement, ha ha ha and have a Happy New Year.

Answer 8

Yes!
I had a dream a killer doll came to get me & I tried to scream but couldn't & then I would try to wake up but couldn't!
I have had this dream 7 times...!

Answer 9

Sure thing several times. Make it a practice not to place your hands on your body while dreaming.

Answer 10

lol yeaaaa hahaha exactly as happy to me
i am in a dream and i know i am dreaming and try to get up because its scary dream but i cant lol
i thought i am the only one hehe