I haven't researched yet but in the last year have had some very disturbing episodes where I'll wake up, and know for certain I am awake because I can use my voice and move my eyes but everything else is absolutely paralyzed. I have also been totally unsure of where I am until I am able to move my eyes and focus around my room and a hallway where a light remains on at night. I want to add that I am "in tune" to the other side from time to time meaning I do see dead people and I do hear dead voices, which by the way have followed me acroos the US. No, I'm not a wacko and share that part of myself with a very select few who know me well. That being said, I do not put these episodes in the category, meaning from the other side if you will. When I am finally able to move an arm, leg or whatever I also have extreme "static" and a terrible headache. Can anyone help me to understand or suggest where I might find some answers? Thanks so much.
2007-02-02 08:23:46 · 7 answers · asked by diamondgoldsgirl 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Absolutely, I suffered from it for 3 years. Very scary. Every episode that you described I have had as well as waking up paralyzed and seeing bright, colored flashing lights and hearing, now this sounds nuts, 'alien' voices.
Sleep paralysis is now being found as the leading cause for people who feverishly claim to have been abducted by aliens. And for obvious reasons. The problem with sleep paralysis is that you are and are not conscious. It's like you're dreaming while awake and your body is completely out of the equation.
Due to the lack of information there is on the power of the brain and on brain activity in relation to dreams , sleep paralysis is not easily diagnosed. Personally, I had 3 separate sleep studies and visited numerous specialists in a two year period before we were able to come up with a useful solution.
What helped me to control these episodes the most were:
*Setting a strict sleep schedule - when the episodes were at their worst, I was sleeping immediately after work, getting up to eat dinner and then going to sleep for the rest of the night. It took a bit of discipline, but after a few weeks of forcing myself to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, the episodes were almost non-existent.
Cutting out Alcohol (during the week ;) )- A lot of times before these after-work naps, I would have a beer or two. On nights that I did this, my episodes were much more severe.
*Learning to control and ease stress - I had a very high-stress job at the time (Radiology) and when I first started to experience these episodes, they would involve noises related to work or patients, etc.
I hope some of this helps. The symptoms of sleep paralysis sound absolutely nuts to other people, but I swear you're not alone! I would definitely suggest researching this more to get ideas how to control and to reassure you that you are not losing your mind.
Good luck!
2007-02-02 08:43:48 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're body goes into a dream state, your brain paralyzes your body (this prevents you from acting out your dreams and hurting yourself). It can be very frighting if you wake up 'early' because you are still paralyzed.
The odds are extremely likely that you are not 'in tune' with actual dead people but are experiencing the aftereffects of the dreams and the brain functions that cause paralysis. (The leftover mental effects pretty much mimic accounts of 'alien abductions'). (I'm not saying you're wacko, I'm saying that your brain might be playing tricks on you. Then again there are stranger things under heaven and earth than our philosophies can dream of)
I would go to a sleep clinic. (Your doctor can refer one) to make sure that you aren't having physical problems while you sleep (sleep apnea - when you stop breathing, for example). Constantly waking up 'early' might mean that you are having a health problem that you should attend to (sleep apnea can become very serious).
Hope this helps.
2007-02-02 08:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After having said you "share that part of" yourself "with a very select few" and now you've put it out on the internet for complete strangers, I'd suggest you get a complete physical exam to rule out any organic disease. In the meantime, run a search for "sleep paralysis" and you'll find some interesting websites about it. Hope it helps you.
2007-02-02 08:30:37 · answer #3 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get yourself a good check up. I don't know if this is brought on by something physical or some type of emotion. Maybe some kind of stress. Some people are sensitive but then others may call you crazy but a person usually knows the difference. Some times people(believe this is true) can send you harmful energy. Learn to send it back! Whether i have helped or not i don't know just don't be afraid to get some help to try to help yourself if you need to. Take care of you.
2007-02-02 08:44:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a condition that may occur when your brain "wakes up" before your body does. See this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis . Also see narcolepsy.
2007-02-02 08:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes, when I sleep on my arm, it feels paralyzed and it hurts. It feels better when I dont sleep on it at night.
2007-02-02 08:31:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
check out 'sleep paralysis' at
2007-02-02 11:32:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋