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 Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:57 pm
Often times when someone claims to awake to vivid and disturbing images, a listener is apt to say, "You were probably just experiencing sleep paralysis." This seems to be a good enough explanation for the listener and they disregard this experience altogether? How many people here have had sleep paralysis? I imagine those who have know that it's much different than being asleep. At least in my experience, the brain was fully functional as if totally awake, and yet, there were the images clear as day. As it turns out, I couldn't command my body either, but I thought I was. Researchers explain why we may not be able to move, but to see and hear things without clouded judgement is startling and potentially life changing, and I feel these experiences should not be disregarded based on how commonplace the occurences are among people. What are your thoughts or feelings on sleep paralysis?
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:10 am
I agree with you, sleep paralysis should be taken more seriously, regardless of how commonplace it is. I think that people feel more comfortable if they have a label for things that aren't fully explained as well as a way to minimize them. If they can minimize it to something commonplace, they know they aren't alone and it is easier to ignore the how and why of it, and lessens their fear of it.
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:00 pm
I honestly don't know what to think, because I am terrified of it. I've experienced it quite a number of times, and each time is worse.
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:10 am
(I just read over this, and it is really scatter brained, since it's a pretty vast subject for me. So apologies before hand.)
Well sir, as you know, and as I will explain now, I have experienced sleep paralysis thoroughly for many years now.
(This is mostly all based on personal experience, with some facts here and there, so just keep that in mind please. 3nodding )
I personally find it to be very legitimate state of being completely separate from dreaming (as anyone who has experienced would agree).
My personal theory on the subject, is that the soul attempts to slip from the body in the sleeping state, but something causes it to be anchored. As well with this, when normally you would remain unconscious, something sparks your consciousness (perhaps whatever causes you to remain anchored?).
At any rate, I'm just going to make a few statements from a personal standpoint as to not delve into a giant babble-fest on a topic that holds a lot of sway and priority in my life.
I don't know about everyone else, but I've had sleep paralysis many different times, in many different places, and have forged a few different conclusions.
First Off:
Other people.
Any movements or noises you manage to make, have little to no translation with your body. I've felt myself get up, roll over, kick my legs, speak names, flip on and off light switches, open my eyes, push, pull, etc. etc. After all of this though, to observers who were conscious, I was just laying there. If I made a sound, it was the only thing that really translated, and to quote one friend "when my dog use to have seizures, she would make a similar sound", which of course made me say "A dog... really?" but I digress wink . I have been told that my eyes were closed through an entire situation, though I could see people coming over and shaking me to wake me. As well, they have stated I was not moving at all.
Secondly:
Feeling
I have both seen and felt myself flip on and off the lights, to have no lights turn on. I as well have felt people basically spooned up against my back when no one was around, or people touching me in the same case. I have felt my self get up and start to walk, just to be instantaneously returned back to my body lying in bed.
Thirdly:
Things I've noticed instigate it.
There are many different things I've noted that increase the possibility of sleep paralysis. Caffeine, hands down, probably one of the highest instigators of sleep paralysis. Sleeping on your back is probably right on par with caffeine for me personally. For one reason or another it seems to promote it. Exercise before bed, if within an hour or so before bed, I find it can lead to attributing if done on a regular basis, so I would recommend doing it a bit earlier if at all possible. Irregular sleep patterns are as well another high contributor to sleep paralysis. I've worked a lot of really messed up schedules, so I understand how impossible it seems sometimes, but if at all possible, try to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Fourth:
Awareness and experience.
Sleep paralysis is something I personally think you need to have experienced to truly understand. Exploration of details hardly brings any justice in comparison to experience in this instance. Unfortunately I can not off much in the area of awareness with the exception of recommending searching for a forum to read others recommendations and the like (I use to have a pretty decent one, but I can not for the life of me remember it . stare )
Final:
Help
Things which do help.
The best thing for sleep paralysis, and I can't recommend this enough, is a healthy sleep schedule. Balance your day and activities. Often enough, if you can maintain a healthy routine leading to and including your sleep schedule, you can most often avoid sleep paralysis. This also includes attempting to sleep in a solid increment daily, instead of in various naps throughout the day.
Appropriate your energy altering consumptions, such as caffeine, alcohol, and various medicines. If you consume caffeine (or similar substances), make sure you burn off the extra energy before heading to sleep, so you system can balance easier. Likewise with alcohol, or sleep inducing medicines. Make sure to sleep when appropriate after consumption.
Avoid sleeping on your back (as previously stated). I am completely uncertain why, but for some reason it is an agitator of sleep paralysis.
If it get's to be too much, I may recommend visiting a sleep clinic, though they may not be able to do anything for you if you do not experience it in your stay.
Things I find help.
If I am sleeping on my back, and have another blanket, or extra pillow on hand, I will place it over the top of my head (eyes and up of course, don't go blocking off your breathing wink ). I'm not sure why, but it seems to help me personally for one reason of another.
As well, per my lengthy career(not work-related of course) with sleep paralysis, I have taken a particular interest in protectorate measures (boundaries and the like). I find this personally helps, but whether or not this is attributed to personal stance or not I can not say.
Working towards conquering your fears. Easier said than done, I know, but probably one of the greatest aids in my personal expedition.
With that, this is my closing note. Hopefully, I was able to impart some sort of knowledge. As well, if anyone wishes to share personal experience, I would be more than willing to listen. With that though, the best of hope for you all.
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