My First Sleep Paralysis/Old Hag experience

faceman

Happened to me last nite. Really freaked me out. What bothers me is that i wasnt sleeping on my back, i was on my side. Rather than the 'prescence' sittin on my chest, it was pulling at my neck from behind.

However from reading previous board's threads, i knew what was happenin!

It took a few seconds for me to regain control but i just willed myself and forced hard to turn around. I was scared as I was turning that I would see someone there. Fortunately as i regained muscle control the evil feein dissapated. Hard difficulty fallin back asleep though. hope it doesnt happen again! :eek:

kshiel

Nope its not the nicest experience to have, but at least you knew what was happening which helps when dealing with it.

I-like-eggs,mmm

You do know sleep paralysis is not paranormal...

What happens is your brain is awake and you are awake but your body hasn't woken up- if that makes sense. The receptors/neurons aren't in sync, therefore you can;t move your body. Because you can't move your body, a feeling of fear or unnatural/evil presence overcomes you- this is normal and just a reaction because you can't move. It feels like it lasts for ages but it's really only a few seconds.

I've had this happen to me about 7-8 times, it scares the crap out of me each time BUT it's not paranormal...

kshiel

No not paranormal but it can and is often mistaken to be.

Zillah

Yay! I love that people are now able to experience Sleep Paralysis and go "Wait, this is perfectly normal, I read that on boards before". We're performing a civil service.

faceman

I-like-eggs,mmm wrote:

You do know sleep paralysis is not paranormal...

yep agree 100% it isnt paranormal, im quite au fait with it. However where there is a grey area is Old Hag Syndrome where a high percentage of people experience the same phenomenon of the old lady suffocating them. Which of all the medical studies i have read, have yet to come up with a scientific explantion for it. Yet it has been documented through out the ages, the people claimed old women were suffocating them.

CoolGuy2006

I had a similar experience around 4 weeks ago in Hamburg. I was staying in my mates bed, she had left to go to work.
I woke up on my side, I was wide awake but couldnt move. A hand took my hand and a womans voice said "everyone looks at my leg" I knew she was moving my hand down to her leg so the shear fear(of the unkown)helped me to snap out of it. Which begs the question, if I had the power to stop it, what was I stoppping, was it a dream(Dont think so) I was wide awake as could be.

Now, Im a pretty sceptical person but this is the second time in my life that I have woken up to pure madness. I feel these were two really cool experiences but still cant say they are paranormal for sure.

I will say that I was 100% wide awake each time, whatever that means

WindSock

I've had this type of thing happen to me before too. It's a bit mad. A few years ago I was asleep and in the middle of the night I had woken up to my body being turned around on the bed so my feet ended up where my head should be and vice versa. I couldnt move myself, I was so convinced that this was happening to me and I was too scared to open my eyes, in case i saw something horrible. I eventually got the bottle up to open my eyes and found i hadnt moved at all. It was freaky though.

metaoblivia

I had this happen just a few days ago. I usually don't get these kind of dreams and haven't for a long long while, but I guess my time was. I was sleeping, dreaming and suddenly i woke up and there was a shadowy figure on top of me. I couldn't move. I could feel his breath on me, and I could feel my heart thumping, and I told myself to just be still and it would all soon be over with. I really thought I was about to be raped.
Then I actually woke up and realized it had been a sleep paralysis experience.
It worried me though because it was such an interruption on the other dream - like an intrusion - and I hadn't worried about it before, but I suddenly became intensely aware that my roommate is going on vacation for three weeks in June, leaving me by myself in the house.

MikeTheMan

Have had this experience about 4 or 5 times now. Pretty much always woke up whilst lieing on my back and feeling extreme pressure on my chest, as well as feeling an 'evil' presence standing over me in a black cloak. Once I woke up with my arm completely outstretched on the bed (facing out of the bed) and this time, I felt the presence lieing in bed behind me and could 'hear' the breathing. I was unable to turn around. The feeling was that of malevolence, so my next gut reaction was to try and scream to call out for help,but I was unable to scream - no sound. (Think my mouth was open, but was unable to roar out loud). Very frightening experiences and thankful they don't happen too frequently.

Gillie

Something like that happened me before while on holidays in Spain.
Having a nap during the day.
Dreamt of an old woman - black figure in a chair white a brilliant white light behind her. Woke up, opened my eyes but could only see the image for a second or too. I literally jumped out of the bed and could still see it!
I had bought a beaded chain (you know the things you pick up on holidays) that day and was sure that it was something to do with it as I was wearing it when this happened.

Took it off straight after and I don't think i've worn it since.
Could be just being silly!

Stoner

If it's not paranormal why is it here? and if it's not paranormal why do people report stuff like, "I heard voices", "I felt like i was going to be raped" "I felt an evil presence" or "it was pulling at my neck" What does that mean? is it an insight into what our dreams are typically about, i.e being raped, or pulled at?

Anyone ever have a nice experience of sleep paralysis ?
Or in this state of sleep do our fears rise to the surface.

Sounds like some of the reported sleep paralysis experiences could be linked to the paranormal, just because something can be explained in some cases does not mean that this is the only cause of such things. I know this is the typical BS argument, the ace up the sleeve that can always be pulled out.

But I think that there could easily be some sort of paranormal aspect to some of these experiences, with respect to how "open" we are in this state of half asleep and half awake.

Oryx

Stoner wrote:

Anyone ever have a nice experience of sleep paralysis ?

Funnily enough I did the other morning.
I was asleep but felt like I was awake (the usual SP sensation) and I felt like someone tucked the bedclothes in around me in a gentle way, then what felt like a warm hand placed on the side of my face. It was lovely, very comforting.

Stoner

KtK wrote:

Funnily enough I did the other morning.
I was asleep but felt like I was awake (the usual SP sensation) and I felt like someone tucked the bedclothes in around me in a gentle way, then what felt like a warm hand placed on the side of my face. It was lovely, very comforting.

so do you put that down 100% to SP KtK?

Oryx

Stoner wrote:

so do you put that down 100% to SP KtK?

No, as always Ive an open mind. I dont know what it was, but it was nice.

Zillah

Stoner wrote:

If it's not paranormal why is it here?

Because its often mistaken for paranormal. Over the years we've had dozens of people come in and say "I was attacked by a ghost in my sleep" and every time we say "Sounds like sleep paralysis". Its an issue for the paranormal forum if not a paranormal issue.

and if it's not paranormal why do people report stuff like, "I heard voices", "I felt like i was going to be raped" "I felt an evil presence" or "it was pulling at my neck" What does that mean? is it an insight into what our dreams are typically about, i.e being raped, or pulled at?

They're called hypagogic hallucinations. Its essentially caused by your brain continuing to generate dream imagery while you're fairly awake. I'd imagine that the reason its usually a bad experience is because [unexpected paralysis] + [dreams] = nightmare. Its a fairly safe assumption that something bad is happening if you suddenly can't move, its not suprising that people usually assume they're being attacked in some fashion.

Anyone ever have a nice experience of sleep paralysis ?
Or in this state of sleep do our fears rise to the surface.

Yes, I've had sleep paralysis where it was quite an interesting/pleasant experience. Information is the ultimate weapon against unusual circumstances. I knew exactly what was going on. I wasn't able to move, but I could hear my dream continuing in the background even though I was concious. It eventuallly faded away and I jerked out of the paralysis.

But I think that there could easily be some sort of paranormal aspect to some of these experiences

But if we already know for a fact that sleep paralysis can cause something like this then how are we ever to tell that its not sleep paralysis?

Stoner

Zillah wrote:

Because its often mistaken for paranormal. Over the years we've had dozens of people come in and say "I was attacked by a ghost in my sleep" and every time we say "Sounds like sleep paralysis". Its an issue for the paranormal forum if not a paranormal issue.

But if we already know for a fact that sleep paralysis can cause something like this then how are we ever to tell that its not sleep paralysis?

I agree with everything you have said Zillah,i think that it is an issue for this forum, regardless of just how paranormal it is

Duff_Man

hmm im wondering if this is somethin iv experienced a good few times! im asleep and i think im dreming and i wake up in pitch dark and im afraid to move cause i hear something breathing and then i realise im actually awake and i snap out of it!.....is that similar to what the op is talking about?

Zillah

Yes, yes it is.

Duff_Man

i can move though cause i sit up and look around then lye back down and snap outta it!

Zillah

Its quite possible you only think you sit up

People have reported being dragged out of their beds or rolling over and over and when they wake up it turns out they were lying still the whole time.

ghosthunter73

Stoner wrote:

If it's not paranormal why is it here? and if it's not paranormal why do people report stuff like, "I heard voices", "I felt like i was going to be raped" "I felt an evil presence" or "it was pulling at my neck" What does that mean? is it an insight into what our dreams are typically about, i.e being raped, or pulled at? I have to disagree here stoner sorry. If you have done any research on Hypnopompic (sleep) paralysis you would know it id caused by the mind itself in order to protect the body from acting out our dreams. No one really knows what exactly brings it on but it is a medical condition not paranormal.

Anyone ever have a nice experience of sleep paralysis ?
Or in this state of sleep do our fears rise to the surface. I have never heard of a good experience, the thought is it can be brought on by stress.

Sounds like some of the reported sleep paralysis experiences could be linked to the paranormal, just because something can be explained in some cases does not mean that this is the only cause of such things. I know this is the typical BS argument, the ace up the sleeve that can always be pulled out.
I would disagree that if steps are taken most would find this condition goes away.
But I think that there could easily be some sort of paranormal aspect to some of these experiences, with respect to how "open" we are in this state of half asleep and half awake.

It is my opinion that it is just that a medical condition. I have yet to see a case where it could not be stopped.

6th

If you have done any research on Hypnopompic (sleep) paralysis you would know it id caused by the mind itself in order to protect the body from acting out our dreams. No one really knows what exactly brings it on but it is a medical condition not paranormal.

Caused by the mind? What is the mind and do we know where our consciousness id housed?

If, as you say, No one really knows what exactly brings it on then who can you say it is not paranormal?

Zillah

6th wrote:

Caused by the mind? What is the mind and do we know where our consciousness id housed?

If, as you say, No one really knows what exactly brings it on then who can you say it is not paranormal?

Lets say "brain" instead of "mind" then, shall we? Here's an exerpt from wikipedia:

"Very little is known about the physiology of sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles, to prevent the body from enacting the dreamt activity (e.g. preventing a sleeper from flailing his legs when dreaming about running)."

stevenmu

I think some of the biological processes at play in sleep paralysis are fairly well understood (relatively speaking anyway), but I don't think they rule out anything paranormal about the experience. We can understand how someone can remain paralysed after waking to consciousness (or semi-consciousness), but I think that something we often overlook when we talk about it here is what causes to people to wake up in such a state in the first place.

One thing in common with most cases of SP, is that when the person wakes up there is some percieved threat or danger. This could lead to the idea that perhaps when we're startled awake we can sometimes return to consciousness too quickly for us to regain control of our bodies. On the other hand, I've never heard of anyone suffering sleep paralysis as the result of an actual threat or danger, such as a real intruder. But I have heard many accounts of people who have awoken instantly to an actual threat and not suffered sleep paralysis, which suggests it is possible to wake instantly without experiencing sleep paralysis.

So then we have to wonder why sometimes it happens and why sometimes it doesn't. It seems to me that it generally only seems to happen along with a percieved threat of some unexpected presence.

I think it would be interesting to know if people who have experienced SP would think that it was triggered by the feeling that there was some intruder, or if the feeling that there was some intruder was triggered by experiencing SP ?

Zillah

stevenmu wrote:

On the other hand, I've never heard of anyone suffering sleep paralysis as the result of an actual threat or danger, such as a real intruder.

lol

Now that would be a disavantageous trait for a lifeform to have

I think it would be interesting to know if people who have experienced SP would think that it was triggered by the feeling that there was some intruder, or if the feeling that there was some intruder was triggered by experiencing SP ?

My experience was entirely free of the sense of presence others have described.

Tragamin2k2

happened to me for the first time the other mornin, woke up for about 10 mins and went back asleep, a few minutes later i woke up and couldent move a thing only my eyes, i tried to shout but then realized what was happening having read about it before.i eventually moved my hand and woke myself up.

must have happened about 3 or 4 times in the space of ten minutes.the only thing i noticed about it was there was a green book in front of me and the radio was on, playing a corrs song (i dont have a green book, or a radio in my room).

told my brother about it and he said it happened to him except there was a greyhound on his chest!

Stoner

ghosthunter73 wrote:

It is my opinion that it is just that a medical condition. I have yet to see a case where it could not be stopped.

Fair point Ghost Hunter.

However if the above case is true whay would you offer

"I would disagree that if steps are taken most would find this condition goes away"

This is something I agree with, but why did you say most and not all if you say that you have never seen a case where it could not be stopped.

ghosthunter73 wrote:

If you have done any research on Hypnopompic (sleep) paralysis you would know it id caused by the mind itself in order to protect the body from acting out our dreams.

I can only gather from the above that you are suggesting that I don't know what I am talking about.

Yet all I have said is that it is possible that there may be another reason, and regardless of what anyone says, there may be an other reason, it's not black and white.

ghosthunter73

Stoner wrote:

Fair point Ghost Hunter.

However if the above case is true whay would you offer

"I would disagree that if steps are taken most would find this condition goes away"

This is something I agree with, but why did you say most and not all if you say that you have never seen a case where it could not be stopped.



I can only gather from the above that you are suggesting that I don't know what I am talking about.

Yet all I have said is that it is possible that there may be another reason, and regardless of what anyone says, there may be an other reason, it's not black and white.

I am not saying you don't know what you are talking about. I would not be that naive. It is my belief that some people not necessarily you attribute a medical condition like this to the paranormal when there is a perfectly good explanation for this condition. This quote is from Wikipedia, "During paralysis episodes, patients may be advised to try moving the facial muscles and moving eyes from one side to the other. This may hasten the termination of the attack.

Clonazepam is highly effective in the treatment of sleep paralysis.[4] The initial dose is 0.5 mg at bedtime, while an increase to 1 mg per night might be necessary to maintain potency. Anecdotal reports indicate SSRIs such as fluoxetine markedly decrease the incidence of sleep paralysis. Several people who have been both on and off SSRIs have reported corresponding decreases and increases in sleep paralysis episodes. Others report no effects at all."

That is why I say most, in my experience There has been 100% positive response. However, there is the possibility that the treatment suggested may not effect everyone. My opinion is this is a medical condition I make no claims you don't know what you are talking about it mearly has not changed my views on the subject.

6th

Might well be the case but Wiki is hardly the most waterproof reference, anyone can edit it. Just thought I'd mention that.

ghosthunter73

6th wrote:

Might well be the case but Wiki is hardly the most waterproof reference, anyone can edit it. Just thought I'd mention that.

In your heart do you seriously think someone went online and edited the info? Ok, it can be done but was it?