I have had "strange" experiences for several years. As I fall asleep, I enter the "half-sleep" phase - I am asleep, but I can see my surroundings. I want to wake up but can't. I try to move my hand, I feel paralyzed, I try to scream to wake up my family - the voice refuses to obey, then I start to breathe so hard that I finally wake up. A moment later I fall asleep - normally … With time I started to get used to my strange "half dreams", so when I "enter" this phase, I think to myself - "ok, I break my fear, I do not wake up, maybe I'll be fine" - and I enter the phase of "normal" sleep … Another strange experience: in a dark room I "see" figures … recently, right next to my head, I saw a cheerful face of an old woman, whose portrait I am able to accurately recreate … such situations scare me, then I scream terribly and wake up - waking up the household. Are my experiences normal? Should I diagnose it? Where to find help?
You suffer from a not-so-rare disorder that occurs on the verge of wakefulness and sleep (when falling asleep) or sleep and wakefulness (when waking up). It is called sleep paralysis, and is safe, but it can cause severe anxiety. Man normally perceives, thinks - but cannot make any movement. Voluntary muscles are paralyzed in the same way as during REM sleep, only the breathing and eye movements are preserved. It lasts a maximum of a few minutes and leaves a lasting impression. It does not require treatment, unless it is necessary to heal those awakened fears of something so strange. An explanation and reassurance should be enough, which you have achieved yourself in a beautiful style - congratulations! These disorders may occur more often when sleep hygiene is not followed, does not get enough sleep, changes the time zone, uses addictive substances and alcohol. Regards!
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Tomasz JaroszewskiSecond degree psychiatrist
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