General Question

rebbel's avatar

What is this sleep/dream 'paralysis' phenomenon called?

Asked by rebbel (35553points) May 13th, 2011

Some days ago, just seconds after I fell asleep, I started to dream a pretty violent dream.
In short, I was attacked by two vicious dogs.
Fortunately I was in such a sleep state that I could decide to get out of that dream.
Then the following happened : I was wide awake but was not able to move any limb or any other muscle for that matter and had the feeling that someone pinned me down.
Couldn’t speak or turn my eyes and was quite in panic.
It ‘only’ lasted for about twenty seconds.
Is there anybody who knows what happened to me?
Maybe can supply me with some information /websites?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

10 Answers

Mariah's avatar

This is not uncommon, I think it is just referred to as sleep paralysis. It happens because your brain paralyzes you when you’re asleep so that you won’t start acting out your dreams (sleepwalking is a failure of this mechanism), and sometimes, in some people, this mechanism keeps working for a bit too long after you’re awake.

BhacSsylan's avatar

Yeah, ‘sleep paralysis’ is all that it’s usually called. I’ve had it happen a few times, it can be pretty terrifying, i agree. It’s actually got a very long and rather interesting history. For instance, in the middle ages people thought it meant a demon (specifically an incubus/succubus) was trying to ‘take’ you.

Also, it can wrap up with dreams and make you see things, which can be even stranger. I once ‘woke’ and saw fingernail-eating caterpillars all over my room. Yeah, glad I got out of that phase…

marinelife's avatar

Sleep paralysis from the wiki.

Seelix's avatar

The others are right; you’re talking about sleep paralysis. It happens when your body is still in REM mode but you’re awake – the body is “paralyzed” in REM sleep (it’s called REM atonia). Check out the Wikipedia page on sleep paralysis – there are a few links at the bottom of the page as well.

Jeruba's avatar

It’s sleep paralysis, all right. And it can be accompanied by hypnagogic hallucinations, in which you are perfectly certain you are awake (unlike in dreams where you think you’re awake—the difference is very distinct) and can later report events that you truly believe happened, but they didn’t.

I’ve been troubled by occurrences of this ever since I was a teenager. It’s the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced. Sometimes months will elapse without an episode, and sometimes it will occur several times in one week. I go to considerable lengths to avoid it, feeling certain that one night my heart will burst while I struggle to break out of it.

Here’s a much more detailed answer. You will also find several other Fluther threads on this subject if you search on “sleep paralysis.”

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

I’ve experienced it a few times. But mine doesn’t usually work well enough and I sleepwalk all the time. That’s not as scary but tends to be a touch dangerous. If it reoccurs you might want to ask your Dr because it can be a symptom of other conditions.

rebbel's avatar

May i thank you all for your informative answers and links.
It is also nice to learn that i am not totally alone in this (although i already knew that also my girlfriend experienced it a few times).
Thank you!

flutherother's avatar

It is not that uncommon and is sometimes called Old Hag Syndrome

Coloma's avatar

Yes, it is a dream paralysis state, happens to me once in a great while.
I am a lucid dreamer, can almost always question myself during the dream state and be aware that I am only dreaming.
Infact, this happened about 3 months ago one night. I was awake and aware that I was coming out of a bizarre dream but couldn’t move for a few seconds, maybe 20–30, but..the whole time I was saying myself ” this is only a dream.” haha

Jeruba's avatar

One thing I’ve tried to train myself to remember is this simple fact: “If I’m awake, I can open my eyes.” If I can’t open my eyes, then, I must be asleep, even though I think I’m not. And if I can pop my eyes open, I can also come out of the trapped state.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther