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Scared to Sleep

by Andrea
(Detroit)

I consider myself a normal 42 yr. old female, other than my lack of healthy and restful sleep. I have suffered from Sleep Paralysis since I was 15 yrs. old. The "episodes" have always been terrifying. But in the last 4 or so years the hallucinations are becoming worse. I can be lying in any position when it happens nowadays.

Here's an example of an "episode" of my SP: I wake up paralyzed and cannot breathe, but can see. I hear something in my bedroom doorway and see to my horror a short, dark demon (for lack of a better word) watching me and knowing that I cannot move. He then floats to the side of my bed and paces back and forth rubbing his hands together. I can hear his thoughts of "She's mine now! She can't move". He hoists himself up onto my bed using his knuckles. It paces alongside of me on the mattress and then will straddle my thighs.

All the time I SWEAR I can FEEL the footsteps sinking in the mattress. I can FEEL its breath. I can FEEL it straddle my thighs. I become able to move a finger or some body part, and the creature will move in reverse. He'll float backward on the ceiling in a corner until I've fully broken the paralysis, when he then goes backward in hyperspeed to the doorway of my room and then gets completely "sucked" out of the doorway.

I'll get out of bed. Do the water-on-the-face thing. And pray that it will be the only "episode" of the night.

I am a bartender with bad work shifts. I may drink alcohol--approx. 4 beers once a month or less. I smoke cigarettes, but nothing else. I am not a druggie. Used to body build, but got injured. I have experienced waking panic attacks at times for about 20 years.

I've tried the good sleep hygiene routine to the best of my ability due to my work schedule. Basically, I'm tired of being so tired. HELP!

Comments for
Scared to Sleep

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Jul 16, 2010
 TOO SCARED TO SLEEP
by: Kath

Hi Andrea. I posted something similar a while ago (http://www.end-your-sleep-deprivation.com/is-sleep-paralysis-linked-to-sleep-apnoea.html). The question I asked was whether it could be linked to sleep apnea (sleep paralysis), as I now know I have sleep apnea and since I've been treated for this (CPAP) I've not had any of those past awful incidents. I used to wake up with weird sensations and it was like someone (evil) was pressing on my chest trying to kill me, or at least squeeze all of the breath out of me. I've also experienced what I thought was someone's arm around me squeezing me until I couldn't breathe. Tell your doctor + see if you can be referred to a sleep specialist as it could be sleep apnea (as like I said, I've not had anymore of these frightening experiences since being diagnosed) or it could be another sleep 'conditon.' Maybe someone might reply to you with info, even though they didn't to me!! Good luck! It's awful when you're scared to go to bed, as I was for many years :(
Sep 05, 2010
 Hallucinations
by: Anonymous

I too have sleep paralysis that is really scary. I sometimes think that i hear someone breaking into my house, or hear my family talking. I always think they will see me with my eyes open and think I am awake. I swear too that I CAN FEEL during these episodes!!!!
Nov 30, 2010
 me too
by: Barney

Thanks for posting this. I have had vivid episodes like this too. I have had sp since 1996 when I was 16 and there have been 5 year gaps between episodes which have been very frequent this year.

For this reason, I am skeptical when someone says they're cured because it could just be a long gap between occurrences. Also, there are no hard or concrete medical tests (i.e. blood test, mri ect...) that can diagnose sp much less confirm confirm its cured.

I have been studying sp for years and have realized that each persons explaination is an opinion whether or not they present it as fact. So I have formed my own take on what sp is; you can see my video at you tube, channel name is barnabusdonn

P.S.
Kevin, thanks for the website but with all due respect, you warn commentors against superstitions when they talk about God, demons and prayer and talk about "science" but recommend a book that recommends "spirit guides" and astral projection, I'm not understanding this double standard. None of us can proof any of our views so why not let people see all the explainations of sp and let them decide for themselves-that would be true diversity. There is no hard scientific evidence in your explaination so why do you paint it as "the" true explaination of sp.
I know its hard to judge tone on written text so I don't want you to think I'm being belligerent, I'm actually really laid back and really enjoy civil, intellectual debate and would like the chance to discuss sp with you further. My email is barnabusdonn at yahoo dot com.
Nov 30, 2010
 To Barney
by: Kevin Morton

Thanks for your feedback Barney. My cautions in responding to some who write about demons and being possessed is cautionary only in regards to the explanation side of things. It's indisputable that we see demon images and feel the presence of evil-feeling forces often during episodes. But making the jump from sensing those things to using actual demons and spiritual forces as causally linked explanations for the episode is where I advocate wariness and a keener eye. There are biological factors at play here, which I address further below.

If you are referring to my recommendation of Ryan Hurd's book, I see no double standard here. Ryan talks about OBEs, lucid dreaming, and mental techniques to control SP, but his writing in approaching these experiences are all soundly based. Furthermore, he is a reputable source--dream and consciousness research is his profession--and the premise of his book is about turning a potentially terrifying experience into an enlightening one. I see nothing wrong with this. Have you read it in full?

I'll address a couple more of your points below:

"None of us can proof any of our views so why not let people see all the explainations of sp and let them decide for themselves-that would be true diversity."

Thus is the nature of this discussion section. There is no censorship in the posts when it comes to varied opinions, only debate.

"There is no hard scientific evidence in your explaination so why do you paint it as "the" true explaination of sp."

If you talk to the vast majority of sleep scientists, they will disagree with this I think. REM atonia is a verifiable process of REM sleep, and the link between sleep paralysis and REM sleep is no coincidence. Polysomnographic recordings have provided scientific, evidence-based support for this explanation. Are you familiar in detail with the mechanism REM atonia?
Dec 14, 2010
 RE: Kevin
by: Barney

I apologize for my rant, I have had sp a dozen times this year and I was probably unfairly venting my frustrations steaming from dozens of online discussions, the state of modern medicine and educational system. I withdraw my comment about the book :) I shouldn't have knocked it without first reading it, I was basing my criticism on the outline that mentioned spirit guides and turning sp into a positive experience.

This site is the first time I've read the term, REM atonia, although I have understood the concept for years. Let me clarify that as I state in my video, I agree with the hypothesis about sp that is on this website. I just don't agree that "everything" seen during sp are hallucinations. It's obvious many are but I'm convinced some aren't.

Thanks for the discourse, hope to talk again. Barney
Dec 14, 2010
 Sleep Paralysis Video
by: Kevin Morton

For those interested in seeing Barney's video and reading some more of his writing, you can find both here: http://www.end-your-sleep-deprivation.com/shadow-people-and-dark-demonic-entities-during-sleep-paralysis.html
Feb 28, 2011
 Sleep Paralysis
by: Anonymous

I don't know if this is weird or not but I experienced sleep paralysis since I was 7. Only about a year ago the hallucianations came up. They aren't HORRIBLE but they are scary. I can't scream or anything. Sometimes I try to move and I seem to be able to move sometimes but when I wake up, nothing happened. I've gone through sleep paralysis FACE DOWN on my pillow.
Mar 04, 2011
 I never knew.....
by: SA-HLZ

All I can say to all of you who have posted here is Thank you. I am 44 years old, and last week was my first ever episode of SP. I didn'y know this existed, so you can just imagine the horror I was going through, I didn't know where to go. Yesterday I decided to do a littl emore research before I went to go see a doctor and typed ina vague description of what I was going through, and low and behold, I found an answer to my scary question, "What is going on with me?" I don't know what to expect in the future, it has happened three time this week, nothing has change din my life, so not idea where this is coming from.
Thanks again all for this information and your stories. they ahve made me feel more at ease knowing I am not alone.

Mar 12, 2011
 Maybe what you see is real
by: AnonymousGirl

Listen people I know you all are gonna call me crazy for saying this but what if what u see/experience while ur in ur sleep paralysis is real. . . I've experienced stuff like this and I swear I wasn't hallucinating because I swear I would hear things in my room and as I heard them I can feel my body slowly becoming paralyzed like some creeping darkness was slowly coming over me. Luckily I was able to break that in time and run out of my room. Another time the left part of my body couldn't move and I could feel this dark thing which I believe was a demon remove the covers off me but fortunately with my right hand I made the Sign of the Cross like 100 times and the thing left and I could move again. Now I don't want people thinking they're hallucinating this because I believe that in this world there are Good things and Dark things out in this world. Just because we've experienced these things DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE ALWAYS CRAZY.
note: I don't take drugs, smoke, and I'm not schizo or anything like that- I'm normal
May 18, 2011
 Re: Anonymousgirl
by: Coco

I totally agree with you. I'm normal..no medical problems...dnt drink nor smoke...I've had similar episodes but worse. I tried to wake up and couldn't move, heard footsteps on my carpet, couldn't open my eyes nor scream for help. I've h3ard heavy breathing, seen dark figures, I've had cover pulled off of me, and seen something in a black hood faceless but a mouth like a wolf. I thought I was going.crazy..can anyone explain this????
May 29, 2011
 Afflicted with ASP
by: Anonymous

I first heard about this phenomenon on a night time show like Dateline or 60 Minutes, not sure which. But it was a couple of years ago or so. That was when i realized that what i thought i was imagining or dreaming was actually something i was experiencing while i was awake (i really thought i was awake, but i felt i must have been dreaming). I rarely have these spells, maybe once a year. It happened again last night, so i finally decided to research online.

I couldn't believe how classic my symptoms are. I typically wake up paralyzed and unable to breathe. I feel like the sheet/covers had accidentally been trapped over my face and that i'm choking to death because i can't move my arms to get them off of my face. I'll even try to move my head with force to get the sheets off, but to no avail. I've come to the point where i can tell myself that i will eventually come out of this as i always have.

Just as frightening is that there is often a man standing at the foot of my bed. I can see the jacket he is wearing, and he usually has on dark-rimmed eyeglasses. I sense he is coming to rape me (i've never been raped in this scenario or real life). But i can't move to get away from him.

Last night was different in that a man kept coming up behind me in bed, as if to "spoon," and he put his arm around me. I knew i was awake and thought it was my husband (even though i knew he was nowhere in the vicinity). I thought i fell back to sleep, but it happened again. After the third "hug," i was finally able to roll over and see that there was no one behind me. Then i woke up.

I'm glad to finally know that i'm not alone here.
Jun 21, 2011
 im so scared of it
by: Kate

I'm a 15 year old female and ive had these experiences too. I've had the demon in the corner of my room and thats the closest hes gotten. I'm too scared to sleep now because i hate the feeling. I feel as if im never gonna wake up and im never gonna be able to move again. So, i close my eyes try to fall asleep and when I wake back up I can move again. Im too scared to go to sleep anymore. I understand its not harmful its just so scary that whenever I think about it I feel as if i'll hyperventilate. I just want it to go away.
Jul 19, 2011
 I thought I was the only one
by: Lisa

I dont remember at what age my sleep paralysis started, I know I was young, pre-teen maybe. The SP seems to have happened more so when I was younger, and that I am glad. It was/is frightening especially to a young girl. I thought I was some sort of freak and never spoke of it. My parents grew up Catholic and what I experienced felt evil. I felt that if I spoke of SP they might take it as being possesed.
I am in my mid 40's now and still on occasion experience SP and it still scares me.
Its always the same experience. I get into bed and start to fall asleep and the next thing I know, I cant move. There is a annoying noise ringing in my ears, similarto many years and years ago when there were no informercials and at the end of the night the tv station would shut down and that awful staticy noise is all you could hear. I feel like my eyes are open and I can see my surroundings. I feel like there is something maybe evil close by but I dont see anything, just what is in my room. I can sense that my boyfriend is laying next to me. I cant move a muscle and I try to make a noise in hopes that my boyfriend can hear or feel me and wake me from the experience.
The only way I seem to be able to awaken is to start wiggling my fingers and toes and then very slowly I can wiggle my arms and legs and then the rest of my body. When I do finally awaken, I am exhausted, mentally and physically. I know that if I fall back to sleep I will go thru another SP experience. I have to try my hardest to stay awake for a while as to not fall back asleep. Now I know that after a SP expereince I get up and walk around. I have noticed that this usually happens when I fall asleep on my back. I do not recall what position I fell asleep in when I was younger.
Now that my son is older (22) he has told me that he experiences the thing as well.
Sep 06, 2011
 STRESS
by: J

I've suffered sleep paralysis since my teens and have found that (for me) it was worse when I was living in a noisy at night city centre flat. After I moved away from that the episodes stopped. However, recently I've just completed a very stressful postgraduate university course and am in the process of moving house. These stressors seem to have brought SP back with a vengeance.

I didn't used to have really bad hallucinations with SP, but two weeks ago, I woke in a paralysed state and lay like that for ages. I tried all the tricks, moving my eyes, wriggling my toes, they didn't work. Into the room came a huge creature with really mutated legs, it looked half insect half human. It moved like a spider, nearer the bed. When it reached the end of the bed, it looked at me for ages, stretching its grotesquely long limbs, then in one quick movement it scuttled under the covers, up my body, put its forelimbs around my neck and began to strangle me. Then I woke up. Two nights ago I've had another SP episode, I'm not used to having them this close together. I really do think they are linked to stress or not falling into a proper deep sleep. What does everyone else think?
Sep 06, 2011
 STRESS
by: J

I've suffered sleep paralysis since my teens and have found that (for me) it was worse when I was living in a noisy at night city centre flat. After I moved away from that the episodes stopped. However, recently I've just completed a very stressful postgraduate university course and am in the process of moving house. These stressors seem to have brought SP back with a vengeance.

I didn't used to have really bad hallucinations with SP, but two weeks ago, I woke in a paralysed state and lay like that for ages. I tried all the tricks, moving my eyes, wriggling my toes, they didn't work. Into the room came a huge creature with really mutated legs, it looked half insect half human. It moved like a spider, nearer the bed. When it reached the end of the bed, it looked at me for ages, stretching its grotesquely long limbs, then in one quick movement it scuttled under the covers, up my body, put its forelimbs around my neck and began to strangle me. Then I woke up. Two nights ago I've had another SP episode, I'm not used to having them this close together. I really do think they are linked to stress or not falling into a proper deep sleep. What does everyone else think?
Sep 07, 2011
 just had my first hopefully last sp
by: Q

I was really tired trying to read things on the internet that claim to be dangerous information. i dose off for a short while and i wake up and think everything is fine. Very quickly a Loudly audible and increasingly rapid "clicking" noise happens and as far as i recall doesn't stop until i can move again. Thank GOD i had no hallucinations. As soon as a woke up and heard the clicking noise, it was ominous and i felt as if something bad was going to happen.. i was like here we go again.. cuz ive been in several situations far more terrifying than this in which the onset of a tortuous event takes place and i feel it coming but forget i have the power to control what happens. I never have quite been paralyzed or had paralysis related to sleep. Another thing- as soon as i started to hear the clicking noise take off out of control i was certain this was a conscious psychological attack targeted on me. Ive had other episodes of different natures in which i thought this was the case too. anyone else? Yeah i beleive in things and have had direct experiences that many people would think im crazy for-- but some advice that absolutely works for anyone in this situation that has actually saved me before is to call for help to someone like mother mary magdalane or Babaji. Any enlightened being you feel comfortble to earnestly ask for help. In my Mother Mary Magdalene experience, i had never thought of or neccesarily believed in the existance or reality that she could help or anything,, but i was absolutely indescribably taken care of by her with such love and left with such unconditional gratitude for her. Try it out yall! it works! i wish i could have remembered this time-- so remember to ask the beautiful many for help! it is important to clarify that only those who are of your true best interest (Loving Christ/Krishna..etc beings) are welcome in your consciousness. It really truly works and can change your life. still we need to support eachother. if you dont believe in prayer-- please send out the intention for you and everyone else having these problems to be helped. it works! i have scientific references as some evidence if you want. so let's help eachother out- and the more specific - the better. blessings to everyone. also, does anyone have any other helpful insights or techniques to share?
Sep 07, 2011
 RE J and everyone else with attackers
by: Q

what i think is they are some sort of astral entities. When we dream, who we are (our conscious spirit) is partly or wholly in the astral world. this sleep paralysis phenomena with hallucinations seems to be having some of that spill over into our waking lives. Notice that none of you have been seriously/fatally harmed or raped like you think you might be? ive had scenarios like that too not related to sleep paralysis. It doesnt happen because you have mandate astrally and also physically and causally over what happens to you only if you believe you do. i think yall are so hopeful to not be harmed by these things that the higher self that you are is powerfully acting upon your own free will to not allow these things to mess with you. They are delusional fragments of distorted vibrations of the all that is who need help to return to a truly desired state of being. dont hate or fear them. it is the cliche: love is the answer. there are countless "light workers" here to assist you- it requires your conscious free will for intervention to take place. Whether you believe it or not- who you really are is infinitely powerful and has the power to live the way you desire. So remember this and send out the intention to help yourself and help eachother
Sep 12, 2011
 scared to sleep
by: chele

i too have had all of these things, what no one has talked about is the pain? when i cant more and the feeling starts to come back i feel nothing but pain everywhere. it almost makes you cry. im scared what if theres a fire and i cant get the kids out. then pain is insane. and yes i have seen your dark being i have named him darkman because he is truley darker then the dark in my room and scary he will make noises just so you wake up knowing you cant move. although he never talks only walks past or around or simply dissapears into the wall. i told my oldest son about it and he went into the room and there it was a dark smudge on the wall where he dissapeared. i moved out of that house, not knowing what he or it was. thanks for all your posts its amazing huh? i know what i see and i know what i can and cant feel. for i am awake. so people what the heck is our problem? i saw a dr she said alien abduction lol never saw her again haha. sleep good as i hope i will.
Sep 22, 2011
 Wow
by: Anonymous

What a huge relief I feel after reading these. I've had this for some time. when this happens to me I am only faced with overwhelming fear because I am unable to move speak or even scream. I try so hard to get up and feel as if I am being forced to stay down. This always happens shortly after I have fallen asleep. At first I would chalk it up to a bad dream but recently I've just been very bothered by it. Googled and here you all are. My hope is that nothing adds in over time. I hav never seen a person or anything in the room. And I often fall asleep in my daughters room across the hall
From my room. Can't say I remember a time it's happened in my own room. Just glad it's common and i am satisfied with the explanation given scientifically. Thanks you
Sep 30, 2011
 Make it all go away
by: Anonymous

I have had night terrors/sleep paralysis since I was 13 years old. I am 35 years old now. I had a hag or a demon old woman tell me that she had killed my son, and I would never get him back.
I now take 5mg valium at night, and almost never have terrors anymore. I have taken it for a year now, and I sleep great. I say go see your doctor now.
Oct 15, 2011
 Hmm
by: Lanani

Ya I was reading all of this and holy cow some of you guys If I saw what you saw I'd never sleep again. Although, I've seen my share of things. I always have some sort of hallucination but for some reason After I snap out of it or the next day I realize that it actually did happen and it just blows my mind. I mean you can believe me or not believe me whatever. 5 years ago I was cohabiting with my friend and his uncle. This sleep paralysis kicked in and while I was still laying in the bed my 'self' got out of me and drudged heavily down the hall calling the uncle because I could hear demons in his room. The next day I asked him what was in his room he said they sound like demons but they're his allies. I dont know what that was about... Another time.. Mmm 4 years ago it happened and a little girl came in my room and started pushing me off the bed telling me I needed to leave and knocked all the books off the top of my bookshelf. When I got up i had red marks and the books were on the floor. Umm, in march of this year.. I was pregnant and had a SP episode. My 3 year old son demonized came into the room with my unborn babys father. The father was yelling at me crazy angry yelling and my son jumped on my and wrapped his legs around my stomach until i hurt all over. I had a miscarriage then for real. I dont know how to explain any of this
Nov 09, 2011
 SLEEP IN THE CLOSET
by: Anonymous

Just read what you said about scared to sleep.You might want to cut down on the drinking and smoking atleast 3 hours before bedtime. Also you might want to read pslam in the bible.Their is a verse that says my sleep will be sweet. It only happens to be when i wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and i cant get back to sleep.Try watching tv out of the bed.OR read a book out of the bed.When you feel yourself getting sleepy,get a blanket and sleep on the floor.That has never happen when i lay on the floor of my closet and fall sleep.
Jan 08, 2012
 I had sleep paralysis NEW
by: Valerie

I started having sleep paralysis since I was 15 I'm 19 now,, & its been a year since It stopped.. but one time I was asleep are my friends house and a little girl was slowly singing in my ear ( la la la la la) & turning me to see her but i say the (Our Father) on my mind untill everything goes away.. and I told my friend what happened and be said that a little girl had died there many years ago,, it was very scary. I understand you all.
Jan 09, 2012
 Listen. NEW
by: D

I think a lot of you are crazy. Not crazy because you're hallucinating - that's totally normal, and I have SP with severe, terrifying hallucinations myself. No, you're crazy because you're pretending that the things you see are real - spirits, demons, supernatural beings, whatever you might think. You aren't doing yourself any favours by entertaining the notion that the things you are seeing are anything more than projections within your own mind. Of course they seem totally real - they are created by your own mind, and your mind is the only tool you have to interpret the world around you. The best defense against these things is learning more about how your brain works, so I don't want to read any more garbage about "light workers" "spirit guides" "mary magdalene" or "astral beings". I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but we don't live in the Middle Ages anymore, so we don't have to be terrified that evil spirits are actually sitting on our chests at night. Okay?
Jan 22, 2012
 Agree NEW
by: Carolina B

I agree with the last comment. I had SP since litthe chilg. Seen wiches and gobblins, but most of the time I just feel sufocated or imagine that i'm arguing with my mother, or boyfriend. And when i wake up, my boyfriend is sleeps, my mother is in her house, i hadn't died smothered. So, obviously, as the other things where not real, the witches and spirits were also not real.

That dosn't mean i don't belive in ghosts, or god or supernatural things. I just know i had experienced a dream, that felt real, but was really, just a dream.

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