To be fucking terrified

[Scaredtosleep1]

Apologies, I’ve posted on here before for advice but I changed my username since then and I can’t find my old post because I don’t remember what it was. Just starting a new one as it’s been a few weeks anyway.

im having awful problems right now. I’ve never had any issues with sleeping until a few months ago and now it’s horrendous- i keep having awful nightmares. It started occasionally but now it’s almost every night. I always dream of something horrible or scary, like I’m being chased or attacked, it’s different each time but it’s really horrible vivid nightmares, then I wake up and can’t move or yell but I can see something in my room. I know I’m not really seeing something, it’s just sleep paralysis, but it’s horrific and so scary. Last night I thought I saw a big dark shadow crawling up my bed and I was terrified and couldn’t even scream or move, it was like I was locked in my body. Then I get a horrible sensation where it’s like I’m in a kaleidoscope and everything is colourful and flashy and bright, and I get the most horrific screaming in my ears. Then I wake up properly and the screaming takes half an hour or so to stop, and then I usually have the worst migraine ever after and I’m usually dripping in sweat, it’s as if I’ve had a shower and jumped straight into bed, I’m soaked from the sweats.

i still live at home, and I’ve spent the last few months on and off screaming the house down at 2 am with these night terrors, but it’s definitely happening a lot more often. My parents are obviously a bit confused and worried, and I’m terrified to go to sleep now. It’s already after 11 and I know I’ll have to fall asleep soon and I just want to cry I’m so scared about it

I’m not over tired and I’m stressed but not really stressed, I’m at university but I’m actually really enjoying it and all these problems started in the summer holidays. I’m happy with my life, my part time job and everything else

i was going to go to the gp but I can’t get an appointment because I’m in Uni everyday and it’s only phone appointments so it’s so difficult to get through, you have to phone 100+ times and all the appointments are fine

i don’t know why I’m posting or what I’m looking for, I’m just absolutely terrified to go to sleep again tonight but obviously I’ll have to, but by 2 I’ll be drenched in sweat, have a splitting migraine and have had at least 2 night mares. my parents are really supportive but I feel so alone with this and I’m actually terrified

I would take a day off Uni to sort out a GP appointment. Missing one day of Uni is better than having to potentially miss great chunks of it due to ill health exacerbated by sleeplessness and stress.

This sounds really frightening and I'm sorry your experiencing it. Definitely worth speaking to the Gp if you possibly can as it sounds like there might be a route cause beyond just stress. The night sweats and migraines make me think it could a hormonal issue. Does it happen more at certain points in your cycle?
In the short term do you sleep on your back. I only seem to have sleep paralysis when I fall asleep lying on my back. I try to fall asleep again as that's the only way I can break the paralysis but not obviously not easy when feeling terrified.
I know that feeling of not wanting to go to sleep when I'm having a period of regular sleep paralysis and it's horrible so I hope things improve for you soon.

I used to get sleep paralysis a lot, I found that it went away with more regular sleep and not sleeping too much. I’d get it if I was sleeping in the day or sleeping in too much.

Ive also read that you are more likely to have sleep paralysis if you sleep on your back.

I got to a point fairly soon, that I would recognise the sleep paralysis and just observe it, the more I could relax in my dream the easier it was to wake myself.

That being said I do think you need to get to a GP or have a phone appointment as your situation sounds very difficult. Don’t worry about Uni classes, take a sick day or two if that’s needed to get an appointment. Your health/mental health should be priority here and ultimately will help your studies if you sort your sleep out.

I know some one who had something similar and it was sleep apnea once he started using a cpap machine at night to regulate his breathing the bad dreams stopped. Might be something to have a look into to see if you have any other symptoms of apnea.

I also managed to turn my sleep paralysis into lucid dreams eventually and they are some of the best dreams I’ve ever had.

Im not saying this as a brag, just letting you know that what you’re experiencing now is not set in stone.

Genuinely interested in what causes night terrors.
If you suffer? Why do you think that is?

You're getting sleep paralysis episodes a lot, you really need to prioritise being seen by a medical professional. In the meantime, sleep on your side, try to relax before bed and figure out your triggers and see if you can reduce them. I've had them for years and in very good at walking up from them now, hopefully you get there soon.

Another poster here with a history of sleep paralysis. I've not seen shadows but I know it's very common. For me it's being paralyzed plus feeling like I'm suffocating, or rather being suffocated and weighed down with something heavy. In this state I can't breathe (or feel like I can't) and I panic as I am certain that I'm dying.
Agree with PP re:sleeping on your back. Even the NHS website says if you don't sleep on your back it won't happen, and that's been true in my experience.

As PPs have said. Make time to see the GP.

Work on sleep hygiene.
No caffeine after 4pm.
Stop watching and listening to any news, movies and video games with violence.

Watch some nature on YouTube with relaxing music before sleep.

@Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree
Intrigued to know how you did this?
I have been reading books on lucid dreaming and find the subject fascinating.

OP, I know sleep paralysis is a real and terrifying thing. But my personal belief is that you need spiritual protection here. What you’ve described (particularly the kaleidoscope) goes beyond the realm of what I would believe to be sleep paralysis. Have a look online or send me a message if you need advice x

op needs to see a GP first before starting with the spiritual protection belief!

think it’s irresponsible to do otherwise.

op please skip a day in uni and see your gp asap!

I get this because I have a deviated septum and if I close my mouth in my sleep, I don't get enough oxygen and my brain wakes me up with a horrifying night terror that will get ne to sit up and take deep breaths!

A gp prescribed nasal spray has sorted it, still get some but nothing that I remember usually (my husband tells me in the morning about some ridiculous scenario I've acted out briefly)

@Scaredtosleep1 I had episodes of sleep paralysis with increasing frequency between the ages of about 12 to my mid twenties (now mid 40s).

By the time I worked out the trigger, it was happening multiple times a night. I was also doing shift work at the time, which I've heard can make it worse.

Luckily for me, there appears to be only ONE trigger: sleeping on my back. Once I changed my sleeping position, the SP went from 90 to 0 instantly. I've maybe had a dozen episodes in all the years since, and it's been when I accidentally rolled onto my back whilst asleep.

What position do you sleep in?

Kaleidoscope vision can be caused by ocular migraines. Try getting an appointment with the opticians first as they maybe able to see if you need glasses.
I have no advice on the terrors but they sound absolutely horrific so im sending you a virtual hug.

My step sister has narcolepsy and has the symptoms you describe. Funny enough the ‘random sleeping’ part which narcolepsy is commonly thought of happens/happened to her rarely and initially she put it down to being so tired from the night disruption.

please see a GP as after investigation she is now on medication which has helped enormously.

Hi OP.. Do you sleep on your back? I ask this because I suffered with sleep paralysis and was also seeing a shadow in my room and i was petrified and I realised i only get it if i sleep on my backl. Ive not slept on my back since i noticed this and nit had it since

Does anyone know why the symptoms/hallucinations are the same for everyone? E.g. its always a dark shape, never a zebra or a goat.

OP this sounds awful. You need to see your GP. They can prescribe effective medication to help with these kinds of sleep terrors/parasomnias. You don’t have to live like this! Certain NHS trusts also have sleep clinics. Get a GP appointment promptly and push to be referred to a sleep clinic (or try some medication first)

@Scaredtosleep1
You have probably realised that you are far from alone here. Intense dreams/nightmares are a difficult problem to discuss with anyone who hasn't experienced them. It took me a while to control and eventually stop the worst nightmares. Firstly it's important to check your general health, as dreams can highlight serious stuff we want to ignore. The daily mental debris we accumulate needs an outlet so bonkers dreams are healthy but terrifying ones need to be taken more seriously. Our bodies are extraordinarily hard working and fear and pain actually, if understood, are our best friends in disguise.
Imagine what the opposite of the terror you experienced would be, it would be absolute joy!these extreme feelings and experiences are coming from you which means you can control them.
It takes practice to stay strong in the face of darkness but knowing how afraid it is of light helps. And thinking of something strong that makes you happy is an enormous strength. Like some previous posters were brave enough to say, a simple prayer really does work. It did for me.

Sleep paralysis is horrible. I've had it for about 10 years. Defo triggered when I'm feeling stressed. When it happens I repeat this is just a dream and try and wiggle my toe/finger instead of trying to sit up for example.

Hiya, I'm a GP and would def refer you on to a sleep clinic. The kind of meds sometimes used are not ones I could prescribe but I'd try to refer you urgently. I'm also reading this thread with interest in case I can pick up some tips on how to advise people while they are waiting to be seen. Hope things get better soon for you OP.

This 100%

I can't begin to diagnose or offer any suggestions to make it better but on a more practical note, as you say you are at uni every day but live with your parents, can't your mum (or dad) make you a hospital appointment?

Script:

"I'm ringing to make an appointment for my daughter @Scaredtosleep1 , add date of birth. I think it's urgent. She has suffered from sleep paralysis for nearly 6 months and could you especially mention to the Dr that sometimes she wakes with kaleidoscope vision, hearing screaming for 30 minutes and this develops into a severe migraine".

You might have to miss a lecture to get to the apt but that's barely relevant if your attendance otherwise is good.

If that doesn't do the trick, could you pay to see a GP privately? A 20 min appointment here is £95.

Good luck.