Have you even woken up in the middle of the night to find that you can’t move and have difficulty breathing, or seen strange and disturbing visions, but not been able to do anything? Or perhaps you’ve woken up to find some strange creature sitting on your chest, suffocating or strangling you? Or maybe you’ve woken up to find that someone is standing beside you and talking to you, but you can’t move or answer? If you answered yes to any of these, then you know what it’s like to experience either a night terror or sleep paralysis.
What is it?
Night terrors and its cousin, sleep paralysis, are part of a collection of human problems known collectively as “sleep disorders“. This category of disorders include such infamous problems as narcolepsy, sleep walking (somnambulism), sleep apnea, and insomnia. To fully understand any of the sleep disorders, you first need to understand the stages of sleep.
Sleep patterns are generally split into two broad categories: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non REM) sleep.
REM sleep is characterized by the eponymous rapid movement of the eyeballs, low muscle tone, and memorable dreaming. The brain ‘locks’ the body down during REM sleep, theoretically to stop the person from acting out their dreams.
NREM sleep generally comprises about 70% to 80% of our sleep time, but this varies between individuals. Very little actual dreaming takes place in NREM sleep, but hallucinations can occur (technically, hallucination refers to falsely perceived stimulation on any of the five senses, not just visual). NREM sleep is further split into four stages: stages 1 and 2, which are termed ‘light sleep’, and ‘deep sleep’ stages 3 and 4.
Sleep occurs of cycles of between 90 to 120 minutes, and follows a pattern that alternates between the four stages before finally falling into REM sleep. Many sleep disorders take place between NREM stages 3 and 4, but generally before the REM sleep stage of that particular cycle.
Night terrors
Night terrors generally occur in children between the ages of two and six inclusive, and occur wtihin one to four hours of falling asleep. Night terrors and nightmares are different from each other in that while you may remember a nightmare (which occurs in REM sleep), you seldom remember night terrors (because it’s taking place in the ‘deep sleep’ stages). The sufferers almost never know that they are having night terrors. This doesn’t mean that nobody recalls having them; this happens frequently enough too.
Night terrors last anything between 10 and 30 minutes, and are more terrifying for the people around the sufferer than they are for the person having the night terror, generally because the sufferer ‘wakes up’ screaming. Night terror sufferers who recall the event feel the emotion of fear without the usual visual, audio, or tactile stimulus that brings fear on. Because there is no stimulus, a person awakening from a night terror might feel disoriented, or in some cases, forgetful of details such as their names or where they are. Night terrors in children usually spontaneously disappears over time.
Night terrors occurs rarely in adults and children over the age of six. Adult night terrors are generally caused by some kind of trauma, occur almost nightly, and respond to psychiatric treatment.
Sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis occurs at any age, and happens shortly after waking up from REM sleep, but while the body is still locked down by the brain. Sleep paralysis is often accompanied by vivid hallucinations and a feeling of fear or dread brought on by the immobility and the hallucinations. It tends to last anything from several seconds to several minutes; the minutes can sometimes feel undending, according to some reports.
The key symptom of sleep paralysis is immobility, either after waking up, or less commonly, before falling asleep. The paralysis means that the sufferer can’t move, speak, or control their body in any way.
The difference, as you undoubtedly would have noticed, between night terrors and sleep paralysis is the stage of sleep in which they occur: night terrors happen in NREM sleep while sleep paralysis occurs in REM sleep, and this generally determines whether you’ll remember the event, or experience the hallucinations.
The hallucinations that occur during sleep paralysis include, among other things: a beast resting on your chest, voices, the feeling of being touched by insects or “creepy crawly feelings”, strange smells, visions or strange and terrifying places, and strange tastes.
Studies have shown that the majority of people will experience a sleep paralysis event at least once or twice in their lives, so look forward to it!
Hypnogoia
A related state is hypnogogia, or sleep wakefulness, and frequently occurs in the transition state between being awake and being asleep. Hypnogogia is characterized by vivid hallucinations (on all five senses), and a sense of dreaming while being fully or partially awake. Hypnogogia is normal to most people, and people who experience hypnogogia often know that they’re hallucinating. You’ll know you’ve experience hypnogogia if you’ve ever experienced an annoying jerk (called the hypnic jerk or myoclonic twitch) just before falling asleep and requiring time to become drowsy and fall asleep again.
Hypnogogia has been attributed to the feeling of being abducted by aliens (due to the intense, believable hallucinations), visions of apparitions, and visions of shadow people. Knowing this doesn’t make the experience any less terrifying, however!
What causes it?
Both night terrors and sleep paralysis are poorly understood by scientists, and studies continue in this field, but narcolepsy seems to have a role in both disorders. Sleep paralysis can be caused by irregular sleep, sleep deprivation, and an increase in stress. Research has shown a strong genetic link to sufferers of night terrors, so if you have it, you might want to ask your parents if one of them had it too.
Dealing with it
- Recognize that you have a sleep disorder and that nothing supernatural is happening. Understand that it affects each person uniquely. Also, getting in touch with other sufferers may help mitigate the feeling of loneliness and dread, and get you to understand that other people also experience these sleep disorders.
- Keep a log or journal of your experiences, especially if the events recur. This will help you understand what you’re experiences, and maybe see patterns that you wouldn’t otherwise see. IN the log, keep track of what position you fell asleep in, details of any hallucinations, times, and dates.
- Try to figure out what causes your sleep disorder. If it’s irregular or lack of sleep, try to get more sleep or set definite sleeping and waking times. If it’s stress, try to figure out how to reduce the effect it has on your sleep patterns. Try exercise and healthy eating, and try to avoid coffee (which has been known to cause nightmares at the least).
- Tell someone; just the act of talking about the experience can help you deal with it. If you sleep with a partner, get them to understand the symptoms of night terrors or sleep paralysis, and that they can help you break free of it.
If you’re at a loss otherwise, you could always post a comment here and let us here at Utter Insanity know about it!
I have yet to read, but I would like to straight away thank Fayyaad for this information as (not trying to take credit
) I experienced a very strange experience last night – which thanks to my wife I seemed to battle through.
I was dreaming a regular dream which I can’t remember, then suddenly my dream appeared like those tv screen you see in movies where the picture is interfered with many other images, but in dream land this meant emotions and sense of feelings also.
I woke up, still in a sleepy state drifting in and out of sleep having awful trouble determining reality with my sub-conconious. I screamed to Ethné but I am unsure she heard, but I do remember that she was woken up by my violent shivering… it was so cold, yet I was not cold to the touch. She quickly got me a hot water bottle and I held onto it tighly, but then seconds later it felt as though it was burning my flesh, as if it had begun to melt and was now in my skin. The pain was horrific, then it stopped suddenly and then I could no longer feel the bottle in my arms.
I couldn’t move properly, jerky movements and as I feel in and out of sleep I started to cry suddenly, then stopped just as quick and fear struck me. I felt as if other things were coming for me, and some of them were already in the room.
At this stage dream and real world were flicking on and off very fast and briefly I could see things in the room coming at me. Then I could feel them all over me poking and proding me.
So many times in my state I tried to call out or wake myself up fully, then when I thought I had woken realised that I was still asleep. Through this my marvelous wife was rubbing my arm telling me it was ok. Then I began jerking like I was having a seizure – but this, and the only time I was awake.
So, last night had to be the most unsettling and awful sleeps I have ever had next to the first fit I ever had. Hope this wasn’t to much information for you all, but I thought I would like you to understand why our local Dr. Fayyaad the brain man with degrees in shrink decided to write this – will read now
I remember him saying (in this between dreams and reality state) that there was “lots of words and numbers” in his dream, and somehow this was bad.
Words and numbers ARE bad…didn’t you know that seven ate nine?
I’ve had sleep paralysis before. Not recently but years ago when I was a teen and it freaked me out. Funny you say that people should talk about it – I had these on and off for months and never mentioned it to anyone. But ’til now when I go to bed, I try to make sure at least some part of my body is touching the person next to me, just in case something tries to “get me”, you know? Weird…
Joe, your dream sounds very disturbing. It seems to have some of the markings of a “night terror” but at the same time is different. For one thing, you aren’t aged 2 to 6.
Also, though you had the audio, visual, and tactile stimulus, you were aware of what was happening and also remembered it afterwards. I don’t know if any of us can say what’s caused it but maybe now you’ve talked it out, you can stave it off. Like if it happens, and you have that same feeling of consciousness, you can try to ride it out. Or tell Ethné to dunk some cold water on you next time she notices this happening. 
I had some of these when I was about 10 or 11 years old, though not with creatures or anything. I would wake up in the morning and be absolutely paralysed, ie. can’t move my legs, hands, mouth, nothing (I could move my eyes though, funny that).
At first I would just let myself fall asleep again and then wake up normally.
But later on I discovered that I could force myself to breath heavily, very heavily for a couple of seconds, starting out slowly and then going faster and faster (yes, it would sound suspicious if there was anyone there). Then I would snap out of it and could move freely again.
It worked every time (about 5-6 times). So, it might work for someone else if it happens.
I feel like I could go on forever about this, so I’ll try to keep it short(er than I’d like to). I’ve been getting both hypnogogia and sleep paralysis (often in conjunction) for about 17 years. I’m pretty sure its never going to go away, as I’ve gotten them regardless of my sleep schedule for a large part of my life.
What I find upsetting is that a few years ago the regular fear of the dreams themselves turned into a fear of actually dying in my sleep. So that, in other words, when I know I’m falling asleep and entering that state, I actually become afraid and convinced that I’m dying but simply think I’m sleeping. This makes me panic to the point of having to wake myself up, which almost always feels awful, as my body clearly (upon waking) does not want me to be awake.
In addition- and this is just random– I’m curious as to why the auditory hallucinations that were always the hallmark of these dreams when I was younger pretty much vanished. I still know when they’re about to happen, but I don’t hear so many loud noises and such.
Finally, I will say that when I was younger I tried to approach these dreams ‘openly’ as they came on, as to see if I could stop them from becoming nightmares. This absolutely did not work. Toward the end of one I had a peaceful experience, but I’ve yet to have any of these turn ‘pleasant’ simply by embracing them– which makes me wonder if you are correct about the fact that they may be a physical response to stress (blood sugar, sleep– something) rather than simply an anomoly of the sleeping mind.
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate your posting/insight on this topic.
Wow…that sounds intense. I had just the one experience and it freaked me out no end. Thanks for the comment, Robin!
Likewise, that is crazy (not you).
Thanks for your responses. And to Byron– I will definitely try controlling my breathing next time! Sounds like it could work.
I have been having them for around 2 years now, they are quite frequent, maybe once every 2 months. At first i believed that it was something to do with my old house, because the previous owner had died. Yet when we moved away it happened again. I go to sleep, sometimes downstairs or upstairs and start feeling kinfd of painless, but strong pins and needles in my upper chest and neck. I am in a dosy state at this stage. The second or third time this happened, i am thinking to myself, no please dont happen again! I hated the feeling of into being able to move! Then I tried to open my eyes, but it felt so hard and much of an effort. I remember then feeling nothing but when i tried to move i could not. Yet there seemed no force holding me down, just my body would not respond. After this i think i may have fallen asleep or given up trying to move. Later i feel great pressure on my ribs like there is someone straddling me, its suffocating, but not to the point that i cannot breathe. In my drousy state, i try to call out, yet it is normal for people having dreams to not be able to speak or cry out. Yet i try to resist, and move yet i am still paralysed. I then have no recollection of anything more than waking up in the early hours of the morning, sweaty and drousy. Has anyone else had a similiar experience? Please share, because i dont want to feel alone?May i point out that i have never been drunk during one of these experiences, as my parents seem to think i am! They do not believe me!
Sounds like a standard attack of sleep paralysis, and nothing to do with where you’re staying, or even alcohol. Check the list about dealing with it, and try to figure out what’s causing it. If you’re stressed, try to deal with the root cause of the stress and see if that doesn’t help. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Rebecca,,, i think i have the same problem as you! maybe we shud meet up and talk about this struggle and get through it together as ONE!!!
I suffered from night terrors as a child, however I do remember them. I would scream so loud that it used to terrify my parents and sister. When I opened my eyes, all I would see was a black/brown swirling mist. My mother used to throw water on me to make me stop but it never seemed to work. I was terrified and felt like I had lossed vision. All that I could see was this swirling mist. It felt like it lasted forever. I was unable to describe the vision to my parents or sister and too choked up and sobbing to talk when the vision would end. If I remember correctly, I think they started when I was about 5 and ended when I was around 8.
well one day i went 2 sleep then around midnight i suddenly work up and felt something aprouching my bed then i felt something pinning me to my bed as if it was hitting but it didnt hurt i couldnt move talk i tried to scream then after a few minutes it stopped, i then ran to my sister’s room and slept in there. Ever since i pray and sleep with a bible under my pillow if i forget to pray or put the bible it happens but it hasnt happened for a while i still feel the presence but i can move and talk it just like it cant touch me or do anything
Last week, I was in between sleeping & awake ..I was dozing off, this is when it seems to happen. However, my mom was sleeping next to me, as I’m visiting her in Florida, I felt an arm-like touch/pull – pulling me from the side of the bed, it touched me on my stomach I was laying on my side and it was either pulling me off the bed or flatening me on my back/ turning me so my back wouldn’t face them. My eyes were open, as I was looking at my moms face & unable to scream but I was trying to scream MOM , my mouth could move but nothing came out. It kept tugging lightly but enough to pull me.
When it was over, I woke my mom put my back against her chest n went to sleep.
Last night, I was unable to sleep, and slightly dozing off I was really alert. Something/someone touched my face with both hands- one hand on each side of my face, again from the same side of the bed. I’m convinced this is absolutely something spiritual and or supernatural. If this continues, I don’t know what I will do. I also learned someone had past away in their sleep from “nightmares”, more specifically, being strangled in a nightmare. I’m very uneasy of this entire situation, and I’m 23 years old, I seem to be awake, and its coming from the same part of the room, the same light touch. Any suggestions?
I have been dealing with sleep paralysis for about 4 years, i thought it was over as i went a year without them but now i am having them again, they happen anywhere from 2-3 a week to once every 3 months. I would also like to know if it is normal to have multiple ones a night as last night every time i broke out of one and tried to return to sleep i got stuck in another one as soon as i started to doze off…. anyway other than that i usually get out of mine by a constant retaliation against it i keep trying to move/talk every way but i had never had a hallucination till last night, i was trying to get out of it and i sleep facing the wall with the t.v. on it. Anyway while doing this i heard the door open and footsteps coming into my house, i sleep in the living room usually so i am very close to the door, anyway i then heard someone say “just bash his head in and lets get on with this” needless to say i started panicking in every possible way, i tried to scream but couldnt i tried to move and get up and couldnt for a good while after the voice, my life even started to flash before my eyes and i was convinced i was about to be killed by 2 burgulars, as chance would have it the paralysis finally stopped and i spun around to face the attackers…. and nothing at all was there
anyway until now i just put up with it but that freaked me out so much i decided to see if i could find out what exactly was happening to me. thank you for writing this article it has helped a HUGE amount.
I recently have been under a lot of stress, i believe last night i must have experienced a combination of a panic attack that woke me up, and perhaps sleep paralysis.. it was terrible. for anyone thats had a panic attack thats bad enough, especially waking up from one, then to wake up halfway, not being able to move, while your eyes are twitching all rapidly.. it was just horrible. everytime i tried to go back to sleep i was getting a similar feeling..it was incredibly hard to explain what was going on, but i was so tired..
anyone had similar experiences? i still feel awful today, my assumption is that im tired from lack of sleep, my sinuses are draining me too, and that i have a lot of aftershock anxiety.. hopefully this goes away, im tryin to get my refill of xanax today.
I have sleep paralysis about twice a week. Usually it’s just annoying. It’s like, “ok… here it goes again… I guess I just have to wait until I can move.” But sometimes I see shadows or feel like someone (who I can’t see) is staring at me or watching me sleep. It’s weird. And I’m afraid to try and wiggle my toes to wake myself up because I’m afraid this person or thing is not going to like it. I also almost always hear white noise. It’s like pulsating white noise. Sometimes I feel like I’m levitating, and sometimes I feel like I’m being sucked into my bed. Anyway… it’s weird.
David: That sounds a bit like sleep paralysis. I know mine gets worse when I’m stressed, over tired, or have a change in sleep patterns. When I’m about to go into sleep paralysis, I can feel it coming on. I have to shake myself out of it before it completely sets on. It’s weird. The fact that you were anxious, and could only move your eyes is what makes me think it was sleep paralysis.
I have sleep terrors every night and I am scared of sleeping .I am 20 years old. I wake up every night at 4 am screaming and crying. I have dreams within dreams so sometimes when I die in a dream I don’t wake up, I am just dead in the outer dream. My father has night terrors until today, and I might be suffering from depression. My dad has traces of schizophrenia and bipolarity. I have constant suicidal thoughts of throwing myself from my 48th floor balcony right before I go to dead. I am the happiest when I wake up because I won’t have to sleep anymore. I had count on my hand the times a hand a good dream since I was a little. Do I have a mental disorder? What should I do?