sleep problem

[blondie123]

Recently when i have been drifting off to sleep the strangest thing appears to be happening to me. I am half awake, and aware of what is going on around me and i am usually half dreaming but when i try to move my body i feel that i cant move! i also feel like something is holding me down! i have tried to scream but nothing comes out! Its really wierd, i dont know if i am imagining it or going completely crazy!!! i was thinking about going to see a doctor about it but i dont want to get laughed at. i've told a few friends and they just joke i've got a ghost but i really dont think i am imagining this! cheers xx

[Ice.Maiden]

You're not imagining it blondie - it's called sleep paraylsis.

[dolly pond]

gravitate, stop eating chinese dogs and u`ll be ok

[natalie_1982]

It used to be called "Old Hag", which is where your friends might be joking around. People used to think it was the spirit of an old hag sat on your chest, preventing you from waking / moving, etc:
http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa1 12000a.htm

As ice maiden has pointed out, it is actually sleep paralysis. It is something to do with when you reach a certain period in your sleep, your brain releases a hormone which paralyses your body this prevents your from waking during a dream, i.e. if you dreamt you were walking along and chatting with a friend, then if your brain did not release this chemical you actually would be walking along chatting aloud. Sometimes, particularly if you are stressed or overtired, your brain can "paralyse" your body, thus putting your body to sleep, even though your brain is awake!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis

It's nothing to be frightened of, try to relax before you go to bed. The first time this happened to me I was petrified, and it happened to me a few weeks ago but now I know what it is I can sort of control it because whilst my body is paralysed I can keep telling myself that I AM AWAKE! It sounds mental, but if you shout in your head to yourself then you do wake up and can go back into a normal sleep. If that makes sense. Hope that helps x x

[SRH]

Sorry to hear that Blondie. Have similar problems myself (as does my brother). Do a bit of reading into it and just keep reminding yourself that everything's okay, it should help you to stay calm until your body catches up with your brain! So-called alien abductions have also been blamed on sleep paralysis - that feeling of not being able to move and that something is holding you down. But there is nothing dangerous about it and lots of us get it from time to time - I put it down to being of above average intelligence and our brains always being on the go! ;) x

[blondie123]

Thanks for all your answers! will try and relax when it happens next!
I've been panicking when it has happened and tried to move and try to call out and not been able to and i think that has made it worse!
Will try to just stay calm now!
Cheers for all your answers.
xxx

[Ice.Maiden]

If you just relax, then depending on which side of sleep you are, you'll either drift off again, or slowly "come to". It's a natural function of the body, so don't worry.

[bestmum]

Hi blondie 123 I have been suffering(?) with this for years. I have mentioned it to my family and they think I am mad. I only seem to get the paralysis if I fall asleep in the afternoon on the couch. I have never suffered in my own bed or during the night. Glad to know i am not mad or alone with this strange problem