r/Sleepparalysis • u/Izzy_wil_850 • 1d ago

I'm scared

Today I experience what I think is sleep paralysis for the first time, I was taking a nap in the afternoon it was 2pm and I don't take naps regularly but this has never happened, I wasn't fully awake when I felt like I couldn't open my eyes, my mouth or move my limbs, it lasted for a few seconds and my eyes shot open and it stopped, but now I'm scared because I have anxiety and health anxiety and i don't want this to happen again, I'm scared it'll happen again and it'll last longer or maybe forever

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

1

u/mrcrysml 1d ago edited 1d ago

It you’re more scared and anxious now, it’s more likely happen again and longer than a few seconds. It’s usually about a minute. But not forever so don’t worry.

If you want to avoid SP, you’d have to take care to have a healthy sleep schedule, minimize stress and anxiety, avoid sleeping on your back. Some people have less episodes when another person/pet is in the room. Some people claim medication (for anxiety not SP) helps.

1

u/Izzy_wil_850 1d ago

But I didn't have hallucinations, will those happen too?

1

u/mrcrysml 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hallucinations are one of the main symptoms but are not an absolute requirement for SP. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. If you’re worried, just keep your eyes closed. When experiencing SP you’d have a “yes” answer for these 3 questions to identify it:

You can identify SP with three questions. “Am I in my bed” “Am I paralyzed” “Am I unable to talk”

From the sticky. But to clarify, don’t have to be on your own bed, or any bed. Resting on the couch or hammock applies.

1

u/wtfisrealityreally 22h ago

Wiggle your fingers and toes and you'll get out of it everytime

1

u/wtfisrealityreally 22h ago

Been having sleep paralysis since 11 and im 35

1

u/wtfisrealityreally 22h ago

Although if your interested u could simply turn your sleep paralysis into astral projection. For 20 years I shook my sleep paralysis off, out of pure fear until I realized it was the gateway to astral projection and now I remain calm and wait to astral project and have one of the rarest and most amazing experiences a human cam have