My Experiences With Sleep Paralysis

by Jessica
(Indiana)

I have been having problems with Sleep Paralysis as long as I can remember. I am 29 years old, in good health, with low stress, and a good sleep pattern. I don’t seem to really fit the normal category for reasons to have this disorder. A physician has not diagnosed me, but I have the symptoms that most people claim to have. I will wake up to find myself aware of what is going on around me, but I usually cannot move, or talk to anyone. I have had times where I was able to get out of bed while still in the disorientated state, with a very weird feeling that I really can’t describe, then I am slowly able to come back to full movement. I have had it come back while standing a couple of times too which is really weird, but will only last for a couple of seconds.

Kevin's Response

Hey Jessica, thanks a lot for taking a moment to share your experiences. One thing that should hopefully quell any concerns you may be having over your episodes is that sleep paralysis isn't really a full-fledged "sleep disorder" in the typically expected use of the phrase. Despite the intense experiences it brings on, sleep paralysis is really a rather normal event that can happen to anybody, regardless of whether they fit into any categories because of stress, or health, etc. As a result, many people experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives.

It's easier to see why this when you understand just why sleep paralysis occurs, which you can learn by reading the "Causes" section of this page.

Of course, some people like yourself experience sleep paralysis on a much more frequent basis, and on rare occasions this can prove disruptive enough to really be a problem warranting medical attention, but in the vast, vast majority of cases sleep paralysis episodes are not a cause for concern.

You mentioned too that you've had it "come back while standing a couple of times". Does it come back pretty immediately after the initial incident when waking up or much later in the day after everything has seemingly returned to normal. If it's the latter, you may want to learn more about narcolepsy, just to equip yourself with knowledge of the subject and how sleep paralysis relates to it, in case it proves useful in understanding anything that is happening with yourself.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

Best wishes,
Kevin
Read more stories about sleep paralysis here.

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