16yr old sleep paralysis

[Wearydeirdre]

DS is experiencing sleep paralysis - has had this briefly years ago which didn't affect him too badly and seemed just like a one off, nightmare type incident. He had a sleepless night a couple of nights ago and was late to school. Said he just couldn't get to sleep. I asked if anything bothering him, he said no, I believe him (we have a good relationship and he tells me a lot of his stuff). This morning said he had 3 episodes of sleep paralysis with demonic faces last night. Not sure what's going on but I've no experience of this to draw on, how do I help him with this?

I'm assuming it's relating to anxiety, possibly exam related as gcse year. He's also been out more socially and staying over at friends etc so we need to kurb that I think. Probably not getting enough sleep (has taken to napping after school which I'm sure isn't helping).

I've let him go back to sleep to catch up this morning but how is best to deal with this? Should I have sent him in? He's usually a complete trooper when it comes to colds and things, is usually a very down to earth, got a good grip on things. I do suffer from ptsd and anxiety, although pretty well managed - so trying not to blow this out of proportion!

Yes it is definitely stress related and lack of sleep makes it worse, bit of a vicious circle unfortunately. It’s horrible. Half term is coming up, can he have lots of lie ins then? Better than afternoon naps. If he has work for the holidays maybe he can try to make sure he’s not working after 6 so he has time to unwind before bed?

Thanks @minipie and yes I'm so glad half term is coming up. Hopefully this will help reset him a bit. Just feel bad he's missing school this morning. Any tips to help him cope when it happens?

I've had this my whole life. It's pretty horrific. The thing that 100% stops it is to never ever fall asleep on your back. You really have to train yourself to stop but I promise you it works. I wish I had known this when I was a child. I really is horrible.

Oh thank you @evemillbank that sound like a good tip. I think he does sleep on his back. We're hoping to move his room around a bit too, maybe a complete change in sleep pattern will help too.

I never found anything that helped when I had it in my 20s apart. from stress reduction. But I have since read that some people can wake themselves fully when it happens by wiggling their fingers and toes (one of the weird things about sleep paralysis is it’s very hard to wake up). Worth a try!

I used to get it sleeping on my side. Sorry! But I agree sleeping on back would probably make it even more likely.

Can I ask how you dealt with things the day after it happens - did you just keep going or allow some rest the following day?

I had this a lot in my early 20s. The only thing that worked was focusing on trying to move my body and getting myself out of it as quickly as possible. I haven't had an episode for over 20 years now. I wonder whether I just grew out of it.

I snore and have sleep apnea maybe get this checked out? My DS also had sleep apnea and had his tonsils removed this made his sleep much better.

No napping . I used to get it in my 20s when I was tired and had a nap (thinking it would help).
just a couple of early nights should help but definitely no napping

Yes at Sunny. I did use to sleep a lot as a student and thus made it worse.

I don’t remember it making me more tired exactly. It was more like I’d had a nasty dream, I felt shaky but I don’t think I’d had less sleep? Not the best quality sleep though I guess. I was an adult so no choice but to get up and go to work.

However I would personally allow any child the odd morning off if they seem exhausted, there is no point pushing them to the point where they get ill.

Thank you all, that's really helpful. He's up now so will take him in. Thank you

Sleep paralysis is horrible. Sleeping on my back is guaranteed to trigger it, although I do occasionally get it in other positions. I find that trying to make a noise is an easier way to break it than trying to move.

He could try exploring lucid dreaming and make it into a positive. When I get sleep paralysis (often) I now just go with it a think ‘cool! Time to fly!’

Hi, I agree with pp's; for me it is stress related; what really helped is understanding that it is sleep paralysis, and not real (even though it can feel incredibly real at the time), and knowing that I will wake from it; for me, trying to shout out for help/to wake myself up helps!

Bless him he's just got himself up and out the door to get the bus. Spoke briefly, he's fine thank goodness, knows it's probably just bad sleep/napping habits of late.

@TrollMunter I've just properly read your reply! That's an interesting take. I'm fascinated by lucid dreaming, never managed it myself, but that could be a positive spin to put on it, thanks!

I’ve been into it a while now! Charley Morley’s books are good. Basically some of us are more wired for conscious sleeping. Almost everyone can learn it though. Your boys lucky as he has a head start. But without understanding it, it can be terrifying, especially with the audio hallucinations that often come with it. I used to wake up from them screaming. Now I’m honestly delighted when they happen! I’m teaching my kids about it too and they’ve happily been lucid dreaming. Good luck to your boy.