Sleep paralysis...

[arosiem]

So I experienced it for the first time last night, twice! My god is it scary. The first was just unable to move whilst actively trying and trying to shout my partner, the second time I saw a figure sat on my chest. Absolutely awful!
I think my body is punishing me for lack of sleep...
Anyone else get this?

[sbuck93]

Yes I get it quite often, usually when I’ve drifted off and tried to wake up again so not in a deep sleep. I found it terrifying the first few times I had it but now I’m more used to it I just lay there and try not to panic until my body fully ‘wakes up’. I remember having it for the first time as a child and trying to scream for my mum but no sound was coming out, so strange.

[Pookie3101]

I used to get it a lot when I was younger, usually when I was really tired and fallen asleep quickly. Scared the life out of me because I was always on my front and unable to move.

[orlando10]

Hi
I had this recently as well for the first time, it scared the life out of me, was trying to call my husband but couldn't, had very little sleep last week and think it was because of this but hope I never experience it again xx

[arosiem]

I know, I think I’m going to try sort my sleep pattern but I have trouble sleeping so often get over tired. Hope that it was the first and last time I have it!

[JessBlu]

My husband gets this.

He says it’s horroble.

[Guest]

Yes. Used to get it a lot as a kid , then my late teens and now get it on the very rare occasion .
It’s terrifying but I have learnt a great deal from doing a bit of research ..
Basically it happens when parts of rapid eye movement sleep occur while you're awake(trying to go to sleep or just waking up) .
Usually R.E.M. is when you’re asleep obviously and it stops your body moving or acting out your dreams to protect yourself which is why your brain is awake during these episodes but you can’t move.. but lack of sleep can trigger it .
Apparently it happens to most people at some point .
Can also be brought on by jet lag and sleeping on your back.
I’ve found I can snap myself out of it by concentrating on moving just one finger . Works every time now

[Florida Gator]

I have had his happen occasionally since I was a child. It’s really horrible and unsettling. I usually find that I am laying on my stomach when it happens for some reason.

[Disneyphile]

I had it quite a few times when my children were babies due to the lack of sleep. One time I could see my daughter sleeping next to me and I was trying to reach out and protect her but couldn’t move. It truly is terrifying.

[Cloverlady]

Oh it's awful isn't it!?

Thankfully, I've only ever had it whilst on anti-depressants for post natal depression, I tried several SSRIs and they were all the same so I had to stop taking them.

It was terrifying!