Have you ever awoken in the middle of the night with your heart racing and a sense of dread overwhelming you? You may have even seen something frightening, such as towering people standing over or next to you, but you are unable to move or even scream? What in the world is going on? Sleep paralysis. And the entity you encountered is a sleep paralysis demon. It's a thing, and you aren't the only one who has felt it. But, is the real thing as bad as we feel it?
So, What Is Sleep Paralysis?
It's a terrifying experience: you wake up in the middle of the night, completely aware of your surroundings, yet unable to move. You've become paralyzed. And as the seconds pass, you feel more and more terrified, until you either fall back asleep or slowly regain mobility. Alternately, you may wake up paralyzed but not alone, as there's something in the room with you – something meant to harm or scare you, overwhelming you with panic before you drift back to sleep. We came here today to assist you in resolving this issue.
What Causes It? Is It Dangerous?
The first thing we'd like to tell you is that you shouldn't be concerned. This “phenomenon” is a lot more common than you think, and no, this demon isn't real. When you wake up during the dream phase of sleep, known as the rapid eye movement phase (REM, for short), you get sleep paralysis. During this time, your brain disables messages to the rest of your body, preventing it from moving or acting out your dreams. However, during sleep paralysis, the sleeper is awake or half awake and aware that they are unable to move. If you unexpectedly awaken while in this phase, you will be completely alert but unable to move.
Am I the Only One to Experience This?
Almost half of the population has had some sort of sleep-paralysis experience in the past. However, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s nothing to worry about regarding sleep paralysis demons. As previously stated, while you’re in this state, you're asleep or trapped in a period between sleeping and awakening. This means you're essentially weary and your mind is a mess (don't blame yourself, we all get in a large mess from time to time), which is a wonderful cooking pot for hallucinations. Added to the fact that you're practically immobile, and the horror is amplified.
Can We Prevent It From Happening in the Future?
The majority of specialists agree that sleep paralysis can occur for a variety of reasons, the most well-known of them including stress or worry, sleep deprivation, narcolepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), jet lag, indigestion, and adult beverage. We guarantee that if you eliminate these factors, your good night’s sleep will return.
One Last Advice Before You Go
Before wishing you a good night, we’d like to suggest you to take extra precautions if your case of sleep-paralysis is too persistent. Because sleep paralysis may be associated with other sleep disorders, such as REM disturbances and narcolepsy, it's critical to visit a sleep specialist if your paralysis occurs frequently. In addition, if you are experiencing severe stress or anxiety, you should seek the advice of a mental health specialist.
With the current technological and medical advancements, diagnosing sleep disorders is quite easy nowadays. There is even a sleeping lab where the exam is held (we know, a lab dedicated to sleep is so exciting!). As such, don't be afraid to talk with a specialist, after all, this isn’t something to be ashamed of. We wish you a restful and pleasant night's sleep.