sometimes while i sleep, im awake yet i try to wake up but i cant until i struggle for what it seems like 30 s

Question

im asleep...then i wake up and cant move. it seems like i cant move for about 30 seconds...then i finally wake up. it seems so weird. i dont know if im dreaming or if its some type of seizure. has anyone heard of this? im 27 yrs old.

Answer 1

Sleep paralysis - it has affected me on and off for years. It becomes more of a problem during periods of stress and extreme tiredness. If it begins to trouble you, your doc can prescribe some mild medication. But you have my sympathies - it can become distressing, especially when you feel you have stopped breathing too(apnoea). A sleep clinic might be a useful referral just to check out what is going on - again, see your GP.


And the reason it happens is simple - your body is in a parlaysed state for part of the sleep cycle so that you for instance, don't get out the bed and start running when you are dreaming about being chased; however, sometimes your brain can wake up before your body and this is what is causing the problem. It is a malfunction in the neurons but it is not life-threatening - only a bit of a pain.

Answer 2

Well, it's difficult to say without some more information. If this has only happened once, it's entirely possible it was a dream. I've definitely had several dreams over the course of the years where I thought i would "wake up" when in fact that was just another dream. Then I'd wake up from the faux "wake up" and freak out ;-)

However, if these are occurring frequently, and you are certain you are "awake" for real, then I would suggest you get to a doctor to get you checked out. It may just be fatigue. It may also be something neurological.

Answer 3

Yes, it's called waking paralysis. Scary, isn't it? Happens to me too on occasion. What happens is that the body disconnects from the brain when we sleep. If the disconnect isn't complete enough, you thrash out your dreams or go sleepwalking or whatever. If the disconnect is complete, your body moves very little no matter how energetically you move in your dream. When you reconnect on wakening, it's usually usually a smooth segue into consciousness. But not always. You sometimes regain consciousness before the brain is reconnected to control of your body. So you can't move. That's what makes waking paralysis scary. It's harmless enough because the slightest stimulation seems to bring control back in a flash. I try to move the smallest thing that I can if I realize it's happening--like wiggling my pinky finger. It quickly progresses to where I can move most of my hand and after that control just explodes back.

Answer 4

that is so wierd, i have had that so many times where i wake up and cant move for the life of me...dont know why but i thought i would let you know, i so know what you mean, i thought i was the only one, its like my body is paralized and i try so hard to just move, i dont know if i wake up from a bad dream and am scared and thats why or what

Answer 5

It's called sleep paralysis. Everyone has it, but some people can wake up and not move. Try to astral project when you are like that.

http://www.robertpeterson.org/

Answer 6

Not to worry, that's actually part of the natural sleep cycle. There are periods during sleep that your body is actually paralyzed to a degree.

Read the first paragraph at... http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/stages/ and then scroll down to "Stage 5, REM"

Answer 7

Yes, it has happend to me about 3 times. very scary. I forget what its called, but a know medical condition. Some people say that it is demons if you play in the occult.

Answer 8

Have not heard of that, I would go to your doctor and explain it. Maybe you are just dreaming.