01 April 2003
When I sleeping I will have what I originally thought was a nightmare but now I've realised it may be a disorder. My mind wakes up and I am aware of my surroundings but my body is in a complete state of paralysis and I can't move, it takes a while for me to snap out of this state and until then it is extremely scary! I don't know what's wrong with me -I have been stressed lately due to work but I can't help thinking that the problem may be runs deeper than that. Please help.

Response
You seem to be describing sleep paralysis, which can be a feature of narcolepsy, but also frequently in people who are not suffering from any sleep disorder. It can be extremely scary and people often describe the sense of a presence in the room, or a pressure on the chest. The occurrence of SP appears to be linked to transitions into or out of REM sleep. Sleep paralysis can occur in association with irregular sleep patterns, shift work, and changes in time zones. Approximately 30% to 50% of normal individuals have experienced at least one episode of S.P.

Similar experiences include hypnapompic hallucinations - these are hallucinations which occur as you are trying to wake up. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur as you are falling asleep. They can also be a feature of narcolepsy, but are also found just as commonly among the normal population (i.e. those not suffering from any sleep disorder.)