Ever experience a weird force while you were sleeping?

Question

It has only happened twice in my life. It almost feels as if there is a force on top of you, holding you down and you can't breath or move, you feel numb. You try to scream and when you do, your mouth is closed. This happened to me about 5 years ago then again last week. When I did scream, I woke up but I was screaming with my mouth closed. It's just strange. Anyone know what this might be?? Does it have to do with being in a deep sleep??

Answer 1

Hello, I've had this as well and it is called sleep paralysis as some of the above answerers have rightly put. It is a well known phenomenon but it is very frightening when it happens to you. I have had this a few times. I woke up and felt that I was paralyzed and that also there was a weight on my chest and on one occasion there was a feeling of dread. Then I moved and the feeling went immediately.

I've put links below. I don;'t think it is anything to worry about!
it's been described in all cultures and at all times I believe. With various wild and wacky explantations.

Answer 2

Aww. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know exactly how you feel. I get it alteast once a week, it's horrible. It's called sleep paralysis. It has to do with stress and anxiety. Have you been really stressed out lately? That might be the case. If it keeps happening constantly you should visit the doctor. Just try to relax before going to bed. Take a hot bath, drink some warm milk, or some tea. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hello I don't believe your house is haunted, this has happened to me a number of times in a few different places, its called being between sleep and reality. Its not dangerous and is most likely to happen if you feel a great amount of stress, anger or depression before you go to sleep. The best way to break free is to concentrate all your thoughts on moving just one finger, then the rest comes easy.

Answer 4

It's sleep paralysis. Your body naturally goes into a state of paralysis while you sleep. That's rather convenient since it keeps you from acting out your dreams. Sometimes your mind becomes conscious before the paralysis has ended and it can be very disturbing as you described. I've felt it a few times myself, but thought it was kind of cool.

Sleep paralysis, understandably, is one of the causes of some alien abduction stories.

The reverse of sleep paralysis is sleep walking and talking.

Answer 5

sleep paralysis happens when your mind awakens before your body. You will sometimes feel vibrations, weight across your chest, 'loud sounds', feel fully awake, just not able to respond. There are paintings done hundreds of years ago depicting people sleeping with their eyes open and demons sitting on their chest. This is thought to be the first documented cases.

Answer 6

It might be sleep paralysis or a form of sleep apnea, where your muscles are got getting enough air. Often you react by taking deep breaths, but remember, just breathe.

Answer 7

My mum describes an event that happened to her in a hotel room once which seems freakishly similar to your experience. She said that when she opened her eyes, it went away but as soon as she closed them, it came back and she says as she was opening her eyes one time she thought she saw a face.

Answer 8

It could be sleep paralasys but i would maybe try to put a surveillance camera on yourself while you are sleeping to see if this happens again then you could accurately document it and bring it to a doctor

Answer 9

Most people experience it at least one time in their life. It can be caused by stress or any number of things.

Also its called sleep paralysis

Answer 10

That's happened to both me and my Mom! It's really weird, huh? I've heard about it before, there's a name for it but I can't remember. Google Parasomnia and you might get some answers.