Fortunately in my case it was very mild, and (for no identifiable reason) I figured out exactly what was going on and didn't let it scare me. I can recall being in my single-digits...maybe 8 or 9...and hearing my mother carrying laundry upstairs. I wanted to call to her and ask her to make me some tea, but couldn't control my vocal cords, or move to make a noise, or even change the speed of my breathing. I figured I was awake but my body was still asleep, so I concentrated very hard on moving ONE finger, which eventually worked. Of course, then I was made aware of how little difference it makes if you can only move one finger...but I woke up entirely, soon after.
It happened more and more rarely, eventually surfacing only when I had dreams in which my jaw was locked open and I couldn't shut my mouth. Curiously, my reaction in every case I can recall, is irritation, rather than fear. I take it that it is common for people to react with uncontrolled terror, made all the worse by being unable to move, or make a sound. Unfortunately, I don't think rationalizing the problem (don't worry, my body's just asleep) does any good for people terrorized by the experience.
Curiously, my sweetie Doreen's youngest daughter (who's in college) has sleep paralysis occasionally. I think it has happened less and less since she outgrew her teens.
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timeasmymeasure
It used to happen to me, on occasion
Date: 2002-12-01 06:12 am (UTC)It happened more and more rarely, eventually surfacing only when I had dreams in which my jaw was locked open and I couldn't shut my mouth. Curiously, my reaction in every case I can recall, is irritation, rather than fear. I take it that it is common for people to react with uncontrolled terror, made all the worse by being unable to move, or make a sound. Unfortunately, I don't think rationalizing the problem (don't worry, my body's just asleep) does any good for people terrorized by the experience.
Curiously, my sweetie Doreen's youngest daughter (who's in college) has sleep paralysis occasionally. I think it has happened less and less since she outgrew her teens.