Throughout my life I have had incidents of sleep paralysis while in bed. It is not common, maybe once every few years, but it is memorable. In those instances I am unable to move and I know if I could move I would be alright. I lose all sense that I am in my bed and my mind comes up with often terrifying conjectures as to what is going on. Fortunately, I am able to moan. This awakens my Bride and she knows to shake me which instantly ends the sleep paralysis. Growing up my sainted Mom was able to explain to me that this is fairly common in Newfoundland and referred to as The Old Hag.  It doesn’t affect my health, and I have not discerned any pattern in its occurrence due to my emotional state. It has been several years since it last happened to me. Anyone else experience this?
That sounds frightening Don. Glad you have grown to deal with it (as has your wife). I have never experienced it. I am more prone to bouts of insomnia caused by anxiety.
I used to have it more often when I was younger.
It was absolutely terrifying.
When I tried to explain- could hear everyone and what they said – they brushed it off.
I haven’t been bothered by it in a long time 😬
Happy all Saints day everyone.
I’ve never experienced it. Sounds strange indeed.
I have noticed that a certain President, while standing at a podium, will exhibit similar traits as those mentioned above, but I brushed it off as being somnambulism, not a case of vertical Old Hag.
I used to have sleep paralysis all the time, and would experience demons threatening me. Several times a month. One day, after I came back to the Church, I was experiencing it, and when I woke up I made the Sign of the Cross. I haven’t had any sleep paralysis since then, and it’s been about a decade.
I no longer think it was just sleep paralysis.
Yes, but not in 40 years or more IIRC. Happened in conjunction with nightmares.
Yes, many times in my youth, none since my late 20s. Similar to what others here describe … A sense of evil, even demonic. A feeling of my soul rocking out of my body. A desire to scream. Making a sound would break the paralysis. Later, I would know to pray. An Our Father, or the prayer to St. Michael.
Was just talking w dd about it and should would have it – including black shapes/shadows in her room.
I guess my only difference is I couldn’t open my eyes either – was just completely aware of everything going on around me but couldn’t move at all.
I also have had the experience about 20 times in my life. By adulthood, I understood the situation, so I was not alarmed (except one incident that appeared to be quite demonic and coincidentally? happened the week after my conversion initiation into the Catholic Church in 2003.) A couple of times as a young child, I remember eventually waking up screaming and literally jumping down the stairs in terror. (My bedroom was in a remodeled attic on the second floor of a ranch house.)
When I was drinking and drugging long ago, I would have cases of sleep paralysis. I cannot recall any experience of sleep paralysis for the last several decades, thank God!
Even dogs and other animals experience the Old Hag. twitching and moaning in their deep sleep.
Angel of God my guardian dear to whom God’s love entrusts me here. Ever this day be at my side to guard, to rule, to guide.