To think what actually is this?

[NotEver0]

Hi everyone,
I know this is weird but im reaching out to see if anyone has or is experiencing anything remotely similar.
Sometimes i wake at night having been asleep to wake up to hear loud whoosing noises in my ears, like really windy outside,then i visually experience a heavy dark mass which sits on my chest pushing me down not allowing me to get up, my overriding emotion is complete fear. I will say out loud please go away many many times and then its over.This doesnt happen every night but a couple of times a month since i was a teenager (im nearly 50).
I know it sounds bonkers,but its very real.i am not dreaming, i know this,im awake when it happens. Its a dark physical presence which sits on me,not human like,faceless.
Im not a believer of ghosts,aliens, dreams etc but a presence is coming for me and its terrifying when it come.
Please be kind,i know theres not a perfectly reasonable explanation and its not a normal occurrence for people.

That sounds like sleep paralysis. Terrifying 💐

It’s surprisingly common and for me at least happens more often when I’m generally stressed

Yes, sleep paralysis. I used to get this years ago but not recently. I agree it's really quite scary.

The demon on your chest:
www.livescience.com/56422-sleep-paralysis-different-cultures.html

Hi Sing,thanks,ill look up sleep paralysis, so sorry you experience similar, its actually so frightening that the next day im thinkking about it all day

I used to have this when I smoked weed as a student, then again when sleep deprived when my DD was a baby. It's horrible.
Are you taking any medication?

Sleep paralysis is genuinely awful. And that sounds like what it is. I can’t stop thinking about it after it happens, too.

Arcadia the worst SP episode I’ve ever had was when my eldest was tiny, she was next to me in bed and I was convinced I was suffocating her :( when I woke up she was next to me like normal.

I am now aware what it is when it happens even in my sleep, and can sort of push my way out of it - hard to describe but it feels like bursting through this immense painful pressure in my chest and then I can get back to sleep as normal.

Speak to your go about sleep apnea. I used to get similar until I started treatment for it

Go = GP

Yup, sleep paralysis. I get it quite often. Don't open your eyes if you can help it - I find the hallucinations I get with it can make episodes last longer and become more intense. Focus on moving your feet, even just your toes. That combined with an effort to shout out usually helps to wake me.

Horrible thing, you have my sympathies!

Sleep paralysis. I used to get this a lot and would feel like someone was crushing my ribs (it was really painful) and I couldn’t speak or move.

apparently wiggling your fingers or toes can help break out of it? But I never tried as only read this after it stopped.

It can happen more if you are stressed or sleep deprived and your brain isn’t switching off properly. Or if you are being disturbed in the night by something and so not getting into a proper deep sleep.

That sounds awful! I have experienced this too - but not for many years.

I have also had dreams where I run and run and run and aren't getting anywhere, or that I am screaming with fear of something, and no sound comes out.

[quote lidoshuffle]The demon on your chest:
www.livescience.com/56422-sleep-paralysis-different-cultures.html[/quote]
That's a great article. Terrifying though!

Sorry, when I say "wake me" I mean help me snap out of it. I'm never fully asleep as you mention in the OP. It happens on a weird border between sleep and wakefulness. It's to do with REM sleep, and your body being unable to move because of chemicals/hormones/whatever (so scientific 😂 I read up loads on it but can never remember the exact details!) keeping you still as you're supposed to still be in heavy sleep/dream mode.

Also, try not to sleep on your back! That makes it worse.

Sleep paralysis. I've had it since childhood. Interestingly, it happens less these days and I think it's because since my first pregnancy I've trained myself to sleep on my side, whereas I always used to sleep on my back. So that could help. Also, when it starts happening, focus on one body part (like one of your toes) and keep trying to move it. Block out everything else as much as you can and as soon as you realise you can move then it will be over! Since learning about sleep paralysis I find it a lot less scary as I know what it is. When I was a child I genuinely thought my house was haunted because of it!

Sleep paralysis. I used to get a demon lifting the roof of the bedroom then reaching in and crushing me. I woke up.... but I hadn't, so it happened again and again. Every time I thought I was awake but I wasn't. Only happened when I accidentally rolled on my back in the night.

Thanks everyone for sharing,it definitely sounds like sleep paralysis, im glad im not being haunted!!genuinely thought i was needing an exorcism, phew!