Last night I had my first sleep paralysis episode. What are my chances of having another one?

Answer 1

Eh, it's hard to tell. Some people have them once in their life, some people have them frequently. They can be one of the signs of narcolepsy, they can be a sign of something as small as just napping too much. Get on a regular sleeping schedule with NO napping and 8 hours of sleep--going to bed at the same time every night. This should eliminate the chances of them again drastically.

I know how frightening they can be (I get it all the time when I'm really stressed/in a depressive episode and sleep a lot), so if you end up getting a bunch, there are things you can do. One thing you can do is research lucid dreaming. If you learn to control your dreams (which is scientifically proven to be possible and I've done it), you can learn to control your sleep paralysis. Also, recognizing that it's sleep paralysis when it's happening can really help you calm down. The first time is always the worst because you have no idea what's going on, but from then on you can be like "Okay, sleep paralysis, these images aren't real, I'm not dying, this will end soon." Also, focus very, very hard on moving one tiny part of your body. I focus on my index finger. I try to lift it, and eventually I'm concentrating so hard on that finger that the trance lifts.

Hope this helps. Good luck on getting some good non-sleep paralysis nights :)

Answer 2

There really are not any statistics showing how many people will have repeat episodes of sleep paralysis, however it is stated that they majority of people will have one or two episodes in his / her life.

If a person has an episode at least once a month, it is called a disorder and is usually medically treated.

Answer 3

Depends. It tends to happen sometimes.
Just keep calm.
If you've had one, you'll probably have another one eventually.
I get them all the time, they creep me out because as I child I heard it was because a ghost was sitting on your chest.
It's not though, it's just your body shutting down for REM so you don't flail around in your sleep.
If you did have another one in a few months, I wouldn't be surprised.
But sometimes it never happens again.
It just depends on the person I suppose.
If it happens again, move your face and fingers and toes first. Then work on your limbs, eventually you'll snap out of it.
It can happen because of medication, stress, weird sleeping positions, drugs, or an odd sleep schedule.
If it keeps happening and starts to annoy you or creep you out, talk to your doctor. He could give you some health tips on how or why it's happening.
Good luck,
-Sam