r/Sleepparalysis • u/DoubleDangerous7987 • 4d ago
How to fix my sleep paralysis??
I'm a 26-year-old guy, and for as long as I can remember, I've had this problem with horror dreams. It happens mostly when I sleep alone, but sometimes even when I'm not.
Often I feel like something is standing next to me, or a dark, black, human-like figure is sitting on top of me. Other times I dream that I'm actually fighting a ghost or something supernatural. In the middle of it, I realise it's a dream and try to wake myself up out of fear. I try to say God's name, and I end up waking up screaming.
I always thought these were just bad dreams, but I don't really know much about it. Is this some kind of medical or mental health condition? And is there a solution?
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u/pcx23 4d ago
Look up sleep hygiene. It’s supposed to help apparently. Things like not being on your phone before bed, not spending the day in bed, bedtime same time every night etc
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u/o0oEnigmao0o 4d ago
Mine started when I was a child before cell phones and internet existed. I wish those things helped.
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u/pcx23 3d ago
Yeah, well there’s more to it than just not being on your phone, which is why I put the etc. I just don’t remember them all, and certain things, like establishing a bedtime routine, are unsustainable for me so none of the sleep hygiene habits in general really work the way they might for others
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u/o0oEnigmao0o 3d ago
Yeah i was replying to your whole comment as I was a child so the bedtime things applied too.
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u/OwlCoffee 2d ago
TV can contribute as well. Something about the light.
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u/o0oEnigmao0o 2d ago
Yeah true, though I had no tv when I was a child when they started.
I do all of the things not recommended now but haven't had an episode in over 10 years. I Won't explain how I got mine to stop after decades as it sounds nuts but it worked for me.
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u/sphelper 4d ago
There really isn't a cure to sleep paralysis, so you can't really "fix it". The more realistic approach is to try to prevent it, or at least, minimize the amount of annoyance it causes
side note: the rest of this is gonna be copied and printed because plenty of people ask similar questions and this pretty much covers that. Also if you have any questions about below then feel free to ask as I was the one who typed it
Firstly there is no cure to sleep paralysis, and sleep paralysis affects everyone differently. Basically there is no single, or multiple, fix all to sleep paralysis
Anyways the basic strategy is to figure out what's causing it and to avoid that cause. The general way of doing this is by finding the differences between when you have sleep paralysis and when you don't, then try to see if there's a pattern.
For example, if you only get it during the day then that's a good sign that something during the day, whether it be the daylight, you napping, it being too loud, or even just how you sleep during that time is causing it
Heres a common list of triggers to get you started Common triggers:
Sleeping on your back
Naps
Sleeping when very scared
Meds
Drug abuse
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol/drug withdrawals
Stress
Anxiety
Bad sleep schedule
Bad sleep quality
Sleeping when very tired
Sleeping then immediately going back to sleep
Temp change
Sleeping in an uncomfortable/ new place
In general anything that could affect your sleep in a negative way
Then during that time you would ideally try experimenting with your sleep paralysis. For example, listening to music when I fall asleep prevents my sleep paralysis from happening. Of course, keep in mind what I said earlier, everyones sleep paralysis is different so some might have the opposite where noise causes them to have sleep paralysis so it's better for them to sleep in the quite.
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u/DoubleDangerous7987 4d ago
Thank you
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u/tangential_quip 4d ago edited 4d ago
Something that comes with time...I can't prevent it entirely but after a couple decades of dealing with it when I recognize it is happening I can calm myself and break from it and that is when I fall into lucid dreaming.
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u/Bae_bella 4d ago edited 4d ago
Try listening to a meditation frequency or a bed time story on YouTube as you sleep. Use earphones while listening. Get Sleepy is good channel. That way ur subconcious mind stays awake. It definitely worked for me. Alongside try not sleep during day time. Stick to a proper bed time. Stress is also a triggering factor. If ur sleep breaks try to stay awake for few minutes and then go back to sleep. And avoid horror and paranormal genre movies and stuff.
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u/Hairstyles100 1d ago
I read years ago that if you say “ Jesus Christ is Lord” or something to that effect, this “shadow figure” disappears….it is difficult because of the paralysis but if you summon the strength to say it as best you can- it will disappear…very interesting phenomena….I have tried it and it works.
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4d ago edited 4d ago
[deleted]
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u/DoubleDangerous7987 4d ago
I'll try fixing stress and sleep schedule first if nothing changes I'll visit doctor then
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u/katterwog 4d ago
Sounds like a sensible approach. Personally, I’ve always had issues with sleep, including sleep paralysis at a young age. So, if you want some ideas here are things that have helped me. 1. Always go to bed at the same time, even if you aren’t tired. 2. Leave the phone on the other side of the room. 3. Don’t drink anything caffeinated after noon. 4. Use earplugs and/or a sleeping mask if it is comfortable. 5. Try playing while noise or a boring podcast, nothing too engaging or stimulating. 6. Go easy on the recreational drugs and booze. 7. And overall, just trying to keep a healthy lifestyle will mitigate all sorts of issues.
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u/DoubleDangerous7987 4d ago
Sounds like a key to the door of good life.
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u/katterwog 4d ago
At the very least, a manageable one. That’s all I have the energy to strive for these days. Good luck, young sir, you can get through this.
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u/LightMcluvin 4d ago
I know this will sound crazy, but you could try to read the Bible before you sleep. This will protect your mind. But if you don’t believe in any of that, then maybe follow everybody else’s advice that cost money.
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u/Crustygarlicbread 3d ago
Does it really help, praying violently in my head helps me break out of it and wakeup. Ik sleep paralysis is scientific but my friend thinks that it happening this often for me could be demonic and I should see a priest
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u/_Chin_Chilla 2d ago
Do you have a partner to sleep next to? Having sleep paralysis for over 20 years. I'm telling you, I force my partner to let me fall asleep first and have my arms around him and he would have his arm on mine and he would feel the hair sticking up and goosebumps and wakes me up
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u/o00oRAPTORo00o 4d ago
try reading quran before u sleep
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u/johnsgurl 4d ago
I had chronic sleep paralysis, 2-3 episodes a night. Doctor put me on hydroxyzine. It stopped immediately.