Is there anyone else that suffers from sleep paralysis?

I recently learned about the condition Sleep Paralysis through random web surfing and was surprised to find out there is actually a diagnosis of sorts for something I have been dealing with for the past couple of years. I had always thought it was some strange thing I alone experienced and found it to be such a frightening and odd thing that I never discussed it with anyone. From what I’ve read, it seems as though people’s experiences with sleep paralysis vary rather widely. For myself, it is an inability to move or speak, though conscious, for what seems to be a couple of minutes either right after waking up or right before falling asleep. It does not occur every night, but when it does, it happens repeatedly throughout the night. It is a terrifying sensation. I try to use all my force to move or scream but am am completely unable to. A friend saw me in this state once when I had fallen asleep on the couch. When I was able to finally move and speak, she unknowingly commented that I must have been having a nightmare because I appeared to be struggling to get away from something. She was watching as I was finally able to thrust my body free of the paralyis. I often will feel it coming on when right on the brink of falling asleep or when struggling to wake up, but have no power to prevent it. Even though it is now a regular part of the periods I sleep, I feel incredible panic everytime it occurs. I understand a lack of sleep is a major factor in sleep paralysis and know I have terrible sleeping habits I should address. I am curious though about others’ experiences with sleep paralysis and if anyone has any tips around minimizing the frequency with which it occurs. Though it varies in frequency and intensity, there are times it can have quite a negative impact on my waking life.