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- #13
bellbird
MyPTSD Pro
Thank you all who replied.
Definitely one of those situations where it meant a lot to not feel alone, as I found myself crossing paths with another sleep-related symptom (sigh).
I've had periods where I would wake up from a nightmare and have a psychogenic seizure (I've seen a neurologist and ruled out epilepsy there). In some ways they are quite similar to the sleep paralysis; a total loss of control, just one that manifests as movement and the other a complete lack of.
Both got to me quite a lot. Feeling out of control is not a sensation I take easily to.
Seems like with many things, calm thought and a dose of reality is key.
Especially important given the nighttime pre-sleep stress has increased a lot since that night (though last night we had no sleep paralysis episodes so fingers crossed it was just a one-time thing).
That particular night was really rough, nightmare-wise.
Slept 7-8pm, nightmare, slept till 9.30pm, nightmare, slept till 11.30pm, nightmare, awake for four hours till 3.30-4am, slept till 4.30am, nightmare and sleep paralysis episode.
So I guess I was pretty stressed by the time the episode happened.
Definitely one of those situations where it meant a lot to not feel alone, as I found myself crossing paths with another sleep-related symptom (sigh).
I've had periods where I would wake up from a nightmare and have a psychogenic seizure (I've seen a neurologist and ruled out epilepsy there). In some ways they are quite similar to the sleep paralysis; a total loss of control, just one that manifests as movement and the other a complete lack of.
Both got to me quite a lot. Feeling out of control is not a sensation I take easily to.
I learned (for myself) along the way to focus on moving only the top digit of my little finger. I needed to really focus on calming my racing head down and put all I had into that baby finger and once it was released and able to move the rest of my body instantly freed up.
In my mind, my first time words to myself were "Hello sleep paralysis!" - not to minimise the experience, but to dump a boatload of reality on the experience. I know what this is and it's short-lived and I reminded myself of that in the moment. There is no giant black cat in my room - this is sleep paralysis.
I just realize when I can’t move that it’ll go away soon.
When I'd noticed it happening to me, I could pull myself out of it during its weakest point.
So, I really appreciate these suggestions for helping to regain at least some control until it passes.The trick? Is a swift assessment of my environment.
Seems like with many things, calm thought and a dose of reality is key.
Especially important given the nighttime pre-sleep stress has increased a lot since that night (though last night we had no sleep paralysis episodes so fingers crossed it was just a one-time thing).
I'm not sure.Do you know what could have triggered it?
That particular night was really rough, nightmare-wise.
Slept 7-8pm, nightmare, slept till 9.30pm, nightmare, slept till 11.30pm, nightmare, awake for four hours till 3.30-4am, slept till 4.30am, nightmare and sleep paralysis episode.
So I guess I was pretty stressed by the time the episode happened.
Hmm. In that instance, I was on my right side in a foetal position when it happened, facing away from the person who I was in bed with. Not that I could have alerted them even if we were both facing each other, but somehow facing away from them while that was all happening was especially difficult. I felt so alone.I’m wondering if there’s something to it (i.e., if certain sleep positions are more conducive—higher risk—than others). Not to say I have much control over what I do with my body while sleeping, but still, I’m curious now