posted January 17, 2008 03:06 AM         

Since I was about 13 I've experienced sleep paralysis. The first time I did I remember being "tapped" on the shoulder only to realize I couldn't move when I really felt I needed to. After awhile I was lifted up then "dropped" off the side of my bed. I felt myself falling. Somehow I ended back on my bed but I still couldn't move for awhile. When I finally did get up I was completely terrified.

After that happened I had very similar episodes of this frequently. Sometimes up to 4 times a week but most of the time I was only held down, unable to move. Sometimes, I'd hear something say my name before I felt the pressure on my shoulders but I've yet to hear the screams, or other strange voices I've heard usually accompany the paralysis.

At this point I can "feel" when it's going to happen and I'm also able to push whatever I feel is holding me down away, and then I roll over and go back to sleep but recently I "felt" it coming but not the way it usually does. I felt farther "under" than I usually do when it happens. Then when it finally did happen I felt myself being lifted up but I quickly shook myself out of it and woke up completely.

I'm fairly sure I can control it now, and for a long time I've been able to relax myself enough to feel myself "falling" but I usually try not to do that because that still scares me.

I'd just like more information on this, and maybe some reassurance that I'm not completely crazy. Thanks.