Luckily this hasn't happened in a while. since i was little, i would fall asleep and after a while, i would "wake up" in the same room and see everything around me as if i were really "awake" the only thing is i cant move and it is very frightning. i will force myself to either move my fingers or toes and then eventually, i will snap out of it and either wake up completely or fall back asleep. i researched this and found out it is called sleep paralysis. it is scary because i tell myself what if i cant breathe anymore or if i stay like this forever. i am completely aware of my surroundings..am i really awake. if i am not then how come my surroundings are like they are when i am really awake when you dream, usually it isnt anything like everyday life. usally wierd things happen. are you really awake during sleep paralysis. i heard of some cases where people hallucinate. luckily this hasnt happened yet. ive been lucky because this hasnt happened to me in about a year but ive been feeling alittle weird before and after i wake up so im scared its gonna start up again. does sleep paralysis also occur w/ people w/ bipolar or borderline personality disorder. I was diagnosed w/ traits of those two things. please help
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
We normally go through a paralyzed state during dreaming. The purpose is supposedly to prevent us from flailing our arms and legs and hurting ourselves or others.
It is not uncommon for people to dream that they are awake - and it can seem very real because you know what your bedroom looks like, and the dream version of it will be quite authentic - so much so that you'll think your eyes are open, but they're not.
Fortunately, your breathing is autonomic and it isn't affected by this quite normal paralysis.
I'll bet there are some dream enthusiasts out there who probably envy the dream lucidity you describe.
I know exactly what you are talking about. You are not dreaming that you are awake, you are awake but can't move. I had this happen to me frequently over one summer when I was in high school. I was taking college courses and staying on a college campus so obviously I wasn't getting enough sleep. In class, sometimes I would put my head down. I would hear the teacher calling me but I couldn't respond. I thought I was having a stroke or seizure until I read about sleep paralysis. It is weird that you mention that you have symptoms of bipolar and borderline personality disorder. I have never heard that sleep paralysis could be connected to those disorders, but it's very weird because I have also been diagnosed with both those illnesses. Maybe, it's something that should be researched.
yes I have had this happen.I felt like I was paralyzed,but I also felt like someone was trying to suck my breath away and I remember blowing out like I wasn't going to let them do it.It was scary.I was saying help,help,but couldn't yell and finally I was able to roll out of bed and run in the living room.I thought it was an evil spirit,but wasn't sure.