Sleep Paralysis

On two occasions now, I have woken up in the early hours of the morning seemingly immobilised. I feel that I am awake and also that I may come to harm, like some negative force is physically pinning me down. I have been able to move my fingers, however I am completely unable to speak or make a sound. When it happens I want to scream for help or to at least wake my boyfriend, in whose flat I often experience a disturbed sleep. I may add that it has only ever happened at his flat and it has only happened when I've been asleep, flat on my back.

The first time it happened, I felt upset and really quite scared. I felt hot air blasting in my face from above. However, when I tried to turn my face away from the unpleasant feeling, I was completely stuck. Tears welled in my eyes and I felt an overwhelming sense of fear, like I was going to be hurt or I was at threat. I tried my best to move just a little, but I couldn't even move a finger.

On the most recent occasion I remember my back arching over the mattress, although my neck was completely pinned to the pillow. I distinctly remember struggling to move my head before- I assume, I collapsed back into a state of sleep. I don't feel comfortable when it happens, neither physically or emotionally.

Similar stories can be found strewn accross the internet and some talk of witnessing dark things, demons, dogs-- the paranormal.

" Ever since I was about ten years old I have experienced at least twice a year some evil little thing jump on my back at night and hold me down I can't talk, I can't move and I don't even attempt to look at it. One time it levitated me over my bed and if you've ever experienced any of this you know it is the most terrifying thing that could ever happen to you. My father also has these episodes but he hears it laughing at him. Doctors say this is a sleep disorder called sleep paralysis and it's from a chemical that's let out in your brain as you sleep that paralyzes your muscles so you don't act out your dreams, but in some people you wake up too quick for your brain and you feel paralyzed and you hallucinate Demons, Aliens, and sometimes I read dogs. "

This condition is defined as "Sleep Paralysis"

" Sleep paralysis is paralysis associated with sleep that may occur in healthy persons or may be associated with narcolepsy, cataplexy, and hypnagogic hallucinations. The pathophysiology of this condition is closely related to the normal hypotonia that occurs during REM sleep. "

" Some reports read that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include:

• Sleeping in a face upwards or supine position.
• Increased stress.
• Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes.
• A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with lack of adequate sleep. "

Now, I maybe doing the classic "google symptom overreaction", however the accounts recorded feelings and senses that I couldn't put any better, they describe how I've felt almost perfectly. And the symptoms I have read about, admittedly from wikipedia, could have some relevance to my recent lifestyle.

1. Sleeping in a face upwards or supine position.
   As previously mentioned, the only times I have experienced this paralysis, were whilst laying flat on my back. I most commonly sleep on my side, front or with my knees tucked into my upper-body.
2. Increased stress.
   I'm in the second term of my degree, first year, which I am finding (typically) very stressful.
3. Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes.
   As above. I'm not coping as well as I'd hoped with uni and living away from home. I feel down quite a lot, and was mildly deppressed around Nov-Dec time.
4. A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode.
   I have very vivid dreams, I rarely have a dreamless sleep. I don't remember specifically dreaming before the 2 episodes however.
5. Excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with lack of adequate sleep.
   This one.. not so much. If anything, I over-sleep. And as for the drinking, I rarely do actually.

 I've also found a quote that mentioned treatment of this problem. At this stage, I don't feel treatment is necessary for me, afterall, it has only occured twice. Nevertheless..

" I've experienced the same thing, starting as a child. Recently I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Since being on CPAP, this has never happened again. I think the reason it was happening is that I was not breathing normally, too much CO2 got stuck in my brain. "

In the past I have suffered from Vertigo, a condition related to dizziness, balance and eyesight. When I sought medical attention for this, I was told it had something to to with over-breathing, and that this was causing too much CO2 was reaching my brain.
In my case then, I guess it could all be linked.

The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation.

" In addition, the paralysis may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic), perceived deafening loud noise and an acute sense of danger. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters. "

Whilst I'm not sure I have experienced a "demon", what I have experienced felt distinctly dark and just.. unpleasant. I am currently trying to overcome my unusual sleeping pattern and I'm trying to maintain a healthier diet than I'm used to. I'm also trying to be more enthusiastic and happy. We'll see if these changes have a positive effect, or if sleep paralysis strikes again. I just hope that it's not when I'm sleeping alone if it does.