hello everyone am new to this website and i just wanted to say hi first off.
but i really made this topic because i think i might be mentally ill, or am i really being violently attack by a spiritual thing. it has really gotten to the point where i don't want to sleep alone anymore. because thats when it mostly/always happens.
what im about to tell you is real if you want to believe me or not is all up to you. i think i first encounter the ghost when i was 10 years old. i lived in an old style house in Ohio. where for some reason my bedroom had a window that showed the dinning room. i know kinda weird huh? anyways one day i was playing my snes and that when i first saw it for the first time a shadow wearing a top hat. in my dinning room window. that was the only time i say that spirit at my old house. the next time would be when i moved out of that house to my new apartment. i still remember it i was sleeping in my bedroom. then for no reason i woke up. but then this strong force was pulling me down really really hard. i remember my head moved horizontal because of the force. and seeing my body actually below the surface of the bed. i was scared but it soon stop. for a couple of nights i didn't sleep at all.. o yea prior to that i did see that shadow figure around my apartment but really didnt think nothing of it. the attack only happen once in my apartment so i kinda didnt forget about it but, i wasn't to worry for some reason. but i moved again to a new apartment and now im being attack almost once a week. i cant/dont want to sleep anymore. i try to stay awake all night. even in school night i usually go to bed at 5 o'clock. i dont know if am losing my mind. one night i was laying in my bed while i saw this gray human figure trying to kiss me. the next night i cant move vibrating around my bed. i don't think am just dreaming this really. just two weeks ago i was sleeping then i woke up paralyze cant move while i see this shadow holding me there. but hes face was weird i dont know not human.
am thinking about video taping me sleeping but the problem is i need a video tap recorder which cost money so yea ,,,,
i know you guys most likely think this is fake really am not lieing has this happen to any1 else.

That sounds a lot like sleep paralysis

Or being off one's rocker.

I'm told insanity is enjoyable anyways.

Hi and welcome to UM. First of all I dont think you are mentally ill. Secondly it sounds like it "could" be a few things. Seeing the shadow people (many wear hats) is a pretty common occurance and its said they are just spirits wandering the Earth totally unaware of their surroundings, and harmless. Secondly it sounds like you suffer from Sleep Paralysis, even though you are pretty much awake, you are paralyzed, but in that state, many state they are being held down, so your account is consistant with millions of others. I will post a few links for you to review but in any case you must sleep, as that makes things feel more intense so you might benefit by seeing you doctor. Let me know if these help or you can relate. JN

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_people

so i might just have a case of Sleep Paralysis. interesting.

welcome tp UM! anyways, yeah, sleep paralysis is probably wat it is but its always best to play it safe so u should talk to your doctor

I would see your doctor first.... I don't think we are qualified to make diagnosis on the internet. The brain and mind are very complex!!

Yes and my son has had it for years, and he is grown. But he describes it exactly like you do. The Neurologist said its very common and something to do with the neurtransmitters in the brain. I had them as child and I was horrified. They seem SO real and frightening, but they are hallucinations that occur during the REM phase of sleep then wake up, so that means the dreams or nightmares continue but due to the fact you are truly asleep is the reason you can move, scream or fight anything off. You could speak to your doctor and maybe he could prescribe something to help you get a full uninterrupted night's sleep. Keep us posted. JN

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Hello, I am also new to this forum and I don't think your crazy. That happened to me a while back when I first moved in with my boyfriend. At that time we were renting the garage from his brother that was turned into a bedroom. And to this day I still remember it clearly. After my bofriend left to work I turned on the lights and the TV was on. And I remember lying on my stomach trying to watch TV, when all of a sudden I felt this heavy thing come down on me. I couln't move or talk at all. It felt like an evil presence. I felt like I was going to die. I felt such fear. I remember trying to say "the blood of Jesus sets me free". But I couln't. Then after a few tries of saying it in my head and trying to mumble it I finally said that frase outloud and being able to move. I felt such relief and not being scared. Then I found out by my boyfriends mother that a while back she got on her knees by his bed and starting praying and his bed began to shake. By the way,I was on that same bed when that experience happened to me. By the way, we got rid of that bed. I never asked him where he got it. And it never happened again. But other strange things happened to me in another house we bought. Thats another story. take care

I don't really want to get too into it. I'm really fanatic about ghosts and stuff, considering I feel them around me all the time. Especially these little things I call shades. Since you're diagnosing new people, I can tell you a little story if you like. Or you can skip it, it doesn't matter to me, I've not much better to do before dinner.

I've always been depressive, ever since my father died, and because of this, I had a personality split. My MPD, whom I will refer to as Trish, kept me a lot of company over the years, and I let her loose more times than I was simply for the fact that I didn't feel like living at this time. She befriended a boy named Nik, and they soon fell in e-love. He lived in Pennsylvania, we lived in California. It simply couldn't be done. Now after awhile, he went crazy on her and pissed her off, and she disappeared.

I had to tell you that story to tell you this story.

Christmas a couple of years ago, I had just set up my TV and put away my new things, wearing my brand new PJs that were oh so fuzzy and warm, and I start to mess around on this chat system known as Battle.net. I go into a very popular channel, and this guy private messages me, saying he knows my sister. Curious, I went into a private channel with him and we talked.

It turned out this "sister" was Trish, and we began to talk enthustiastically about her. But something was wrong. After awhile, I noticed how quiet it is. My mom and stepfather are always coming in and out of the house, but this fails to happen. The cars going by completely stop, even though it's only 8 PM near a busy road. Seconds drag on like minutes, and I notice a heavy presence in my room.

On Nik's end, he claimed a ball of distortion threw itself across the room and smashed into the kitchen, sending knives knocking everywhere. One knife landed in the carpet very close by, as if a warning. He then felt as if he were being stabbed, slowly.

I couldn't move. I was being paralyzed by some sort of presence, its essence itself wrapping around me tightly and slipping into me. I could hear its breathing in my head, and it whispered things to me. I stood up, having to pee one moment in time, and found I couldn't will my hand to turn my doorknob.

This continued on until about 4 in the morning, nonstop. Nik went almost entirely insane during this time, and I felt as if I were being entirely displaced. I could almost see these beings, what I call "shades," now, in the corner of my eye, lurking in my closet and through the window. If you have SP, you'd probably know the level of fear surging through my body. I don't know how I slept that night, but everything was fine.

Some people might claim this to be sleep paralysis in its own little form, but...What's your take on this? I've always been curious to see someone's opinion on this.

You might have an actual medical condition called narcolepsy, in which one of the main symptoms is frequent sleep paralysis and hallucinations. I highly suggest getting tested.

HOWEVER - I am not denying that this could be a paranormal issue. In fact, it could be a combined medical/paranormal issue since you said you saw this ghost when you were young. I do think you should try to record yourself sleeping when you have money for the equipment just for the hell of it, but also as I said get medical testing.

Hi z179z

It definitely does sound like sleep paralysis. Out of interest, do you usually wait until you are virtually ready to drop before you go to bed? Sometimes extreme tiredness can bring on this condition (that is often what causes it to happen to me).

maybe the shadow person is causing the sleep paralysis, did you ever see the shadow person before you expirienced it?

Welcome! You're not off your rocker. I have a feelings it's sleep paralysis. It's very frightening to say the least. It happens to me sometimes and it feels so real! You're not alone on this one.

Have you spoken to your family about this? also, has anyone witnessed you being attacked?

Welcome to the boards.

Reg

I heard about this before from an arabian person, they call it Yathom in arabic its somekind of ghost that holds your breath and you feel like a heavy weight dark figure and can hear the ghost breath in a scary way on top of your chest not able to move.

I WONT BE ABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT !

It really does sound like Sleep Paralysis, and you need to get checked out by a doctor.

If you don't have any medical conditions your house may be haunted. If that is the case, the only advice I can give is to look for help. The only people that can help with real hauntings are people who are able to perform blessings on your home (clergy), psychic mediums or ghost whisperers, and people who investigate parapsychology.

You should talk to a local Catholic Church priest about your problem, and search the Internet for ghost hunters/mediums and parapsychologists in your area. Don’t let anyone charge you any money either. Any self respecting paranormal researcher will come to your home for free, and will be very willing to help you out. If they ask for money other than travel expenses do not pay them.

What she said

Sleep paralysis is actually quite common, a fair number of people experience it at some point in their life. Like mentioned, you should probably go to the doctor if only for your own piece of mind. Your voluntary muscles are paralysed in REM sleep as motor neurons are blocked, and this may continue on as you awaken into awareness. As someone who has experienced sleeping disorders, one piece of advice I would probably give is to perhaps do some excercise before you go to bed. I know that helps me get a good nights sleep without problem. But still go see your doctor, he/she can give you some good info.

You know, I try and remain with an open mind, even though I am not sure about many of the psychological aspects of sleep paralysis. However, I will adamantly proclaim, again and again, that if these symptoms are followed by a sudden release after prayer or calling for divine intervention, well....you my friend, are experiencing a demonic visitation. I'll buy the sleep paralysis thing, until that last detail I just mentioned. I have studied this same assault, world wide, case after case. And I believe it to be the same group of demonics. Now I am not one to claim demonism at every post. If one looks at the last ones I have responded to, they are expressing natural causes and typical debunking techniques. But I maintain this one to be demonic, and I would suggest to the OP of this thread to try prayer as well. If they are suddenly freed, well...you have my answer. ~Jackal

I have also heard it said that the victims belief in the power of prayer overtakes their psychological affliction, and liberates them from this malady. I will even buy this in small doses. But if one believes in God, it is just ridiculous to discard prayer liberating you from a demonic.

See your doctor. But just try a prayer first. Much less expensive.

SP can be very frightening....I experienced it twice, paralysis, hearing mumbled voices, and couldn't come out of it until my body was ready to awake...The two times, it was exactly the same....After that came anxiety attacks and thats when I went to the Dr...He told me about sp, and said that it can be caused by undue stress...My mom had passed away shortly before this happened...He put me on meds, which I refused to take, and fortunately it didn't happen again...I would suggest, like other posters, to talk to your parents about what is happening...You'd be surprised that by opening to someone, it eases the burden...take care...

hmm that could be purely coincidence though (about the prayer). Sleep paralysis can last from seconds to minutes, there's no specific time frame in which it lasts. Not trying to shoot down your theory of course Jackal

I am trying to understand this SP thing. I really am. Someone with experience should start a thread. I understand the principle of not being able to move. I have had that happen. I even stopped breathing for most a minute. But I was fully aware of my surroundings. And it didn't feel like I was being restrained or pinned or pushed down. It just felt like my body wouldn't cooperate and wouldn't move. And if I had seen a dark evil presence hovering over me and grinning down at me, I would have no question I was being visited. Does medication make it go away? Or does it just make it possible for you to sleep through it should it attempt it again? What is this medication and how does it stop these symptoms? I wish someone with some knowledge of this disorder would open a thread. ~Jackal

Oh I understand Nat. And you know what? I could swallow that too...on occassion. But not consistantly. Personally, I think SP is being over diagnosed for similar symptomatic problems. I think SP may indeed be a relative disorder, and probably what myself and goalie experienced. However, I think the same symptoms, accompanied by massive pressing into the bed, terrible smells, dark hovering shapes over your body, well...you know what I think.

I don't know that much about it, other than the two times it happened...And at that time, I wasn't even aware that there was a term for it...I never saw any kind of an evil presence, just heard the voices in my living room, but couldn't make out exactly what they were saying...It sounded like quite a few people, and I couldn't open my eyes, so was unable to see who or what it was...I also was not held down by any force. I felt no pressure on me, but was unable to move my body...The dr. put me on anti-depressent pills, more for the stress...I didn't take them because I wanted to heal on my own...Your right about someone with expert knowledge opening a thread on SP, it has to be a very complex...take care...goalie

Thanks goalie

Anytime...It's always nice talking to you....

When I experienced sleep paralysis, I also saw people in my room. Kind of grayish, see through, their form appeared to follow them as they moved, and they also seem very aware, looking at me constantly. When I started studying sleep paralysis, a common symptom (hallucinations) that most people report is the presence of people in their room around their bed, and of course a sense of something sitting on their chest. Obviously, I can't turn around and say it's nothing paranormal (see, I'm learning ) however, it is what specialists refer to as hypnagogic hallucinations - we experience these not just in sleep paralysis, but various stages of sleep (like if you have a dream (this has happened to me) whereby you've been stabbed and you wake up suddenly and you can actually feel the pain in your body). They're not just visual, but can involve various senses. I guess it's best described as dreams intruding on awakening. For me personally, I had alot of anxiety problems growing up, which intruded on my sleep and led to sleeping disorders, including sleep paralysis. For me, excercising helped alot, and getting into regular sleeping patterns, and a healthy diet doesn't hurt either. Alot of sleeping disorders are a result of anxiety, so basically aiming to reduce anxiety should help. I agree, perhaps someone should open a thread... *backs out of the room* just not me

Your experiences sound like sleep paralysis to me too.

I'll first explain that both myself and my wife are total non-believers in the supernatural. Arch-skeptics if you will. I have never suffered from sleep paralysis but my wife has on several occasions and has described things to me that many would call supernatural but are in reality in the mind, related to dreaming and yet being awake enough to realise she cannot move and can both see and feel an oppressive presence in the room.

She found the first experience absolutely terrifying, really thought there was someone in the room somehow holding her down.

After reading more accounts of sleep paralysis and understanding it is possible to be in a semi conscious dream state she has become less frightened and more accepting of this a relatively normal or at least explainable condition. Consider how wild and wacky and sometimes frightening dreams can be and realise that the mind can still play out these things even when you are semi conscious. You can see things that aren't there and they seem real but they come from the same place as dreams, out of the imagination.

I hope this may help you feel less frightened about what is happening to you.

That's fascinating Natalie. Thanks for the well put information. I would still be interested in someone explaining in medical terms how this event comes to reality. And how the drugs interact with our physiology to aleiviate this disorder. My point is, it would be just as easy for a doctor to match the symptoms to a educated prognosis, and then diagnose a visitation as SP, and perscribe valium or some other sleep enhancement remedy....as it is for me to swear up and down the devil is after ya! lol. I know I sound ridiculous, but there were times in our history, when just the opposite was true, and people with bonifide psychological and even physiological disorders were litterally burned at the stake. Today, I believe the opposite is true. People are over diagnosed. The shame is, as with other things, there is a viable middle ground. It is attainable. That is why I appreciate everyones input. There is no right or wrong answer at this juncture. It is all purely speculation. You can't diagnose what you don't believe exists. And on the other hand, you can't cast out what is medically treatable. I appreciate your input! ~Jackal

I too have experienced sleep paralyiss on many oaccasions . I've also seen what some would say were entities around the bed ,some were even alien like . It can be very scary and feel very real . The worst one i had didn't involve entities at all . It involved bee's i felt the usual suffocating feeling of someone being on my chest and not being able to breathe. the next thing i know I'm surrounded by hundreds of bees .

The feeling was at the time as if somehow they were sucking out my breath without actually touching me . i tried to scream and shout for someone to help my little boy whom i could almost see. but was paralysed and no words would come out . At the time i assumed this was because i was running out of air and would die soon but its more likely that the vocal chords are somehow paralysed also .

I have gotten used to sleep paralysis now and have learned that anything you can move ie eyes /fingers you should it will breakthe paralysis really quickly and although this may sound hard try not too be afraid . It really helps and can become an awesome experience, Its really wierd how you can play around with the hypnogogic images you will see and even force them to change !!!

I think an impotrtant thing to remember with sleep paralysis is that when we are dreaming our body has a chemical which stops us acting out our dreams so that we dont get hurt . sleep paralysis i believe is a part of that . its just that we are semi concious so we aware of it !

My opinion only im no expert !

blessings SS79 x x x

Thanks SS. I find this more and more fascinating all the time. I certainly hope it is of some assistance to the OP. (still hope someone opens a thread ) ~Jackal

and if I may be so bold to suggest a skeptic open the thread and educate those of us who know little or nothing of this disorder. In fact, I issue a challenge to you skeptics. Present some of the materials I suggested and make a real contribution. I'll have a seat in the first row.

Sleep paralysis. lol

What do you think is a more likely explanation?

LOl jackal

I agree it would be a good idea for someone to come in with all the facts . i definitly dont have them. I could probably look some links up on the interent though but its wether people want to believe it really. Links have been posted before and people ignore them this isnt a dig its a fact . I dont know why and i myself admit a few years ago i was guilty too of ignoring things when they didnt quite suit me . <-----this is in no way directed at you jackal its a general statement .

I dont really think it would take just a skeptic too open a thread though , you'd be surprised how many believers in ghosts /spirits /demons also see sleep paralysis as a sleep disorder rather than a paranormal event.

I wouldnt be so bold either as to say all sightings whilst lying in bed in which you see entities is sleep paralysis but i think we have to make a judgement based on whats in the opening post some have certain characteristics that lead us too conclude sleep paralysis some dont .

Blessings SS79 x x x

This is my contention

Oh I believe SP may very well be the culprit. But statistically speaking, it can not account for 100% of all the disturbances of this nature. And the remaining percentile has to be seriously considered as well. ~Jackal

Kiddglock was laughing at the suggestion. You seem a little more open minded.

I wonder what he thought funny?

The interesting thing about sleep paralysis is why people always seem to notice a presence in the room with them. It would sound rational enough to just wake up and become paralyzed for a few seconds without having to associate the feeling of something in the room or moving towards you. I admit, I often experience this sensation in my current house which isn't haunted, and the funny thing is that you can hardly remember what happed after the paralysis occurred and you always end up falling back to sleep even after you snap out of it.

So I do wonder if skeptics experience sleep paralysis. Surely they must and if so do they also see or notice a presence in the room since they don't believe in ghost

As I explained in my first post on this subject my wife is a skeptic and has no belief in anything considered supernatural. She still feels an oppressive presence and has seen things moving in the room, some sort of shadowy figure.

The thing is, she believes in hullucinations and knows that's what they are.

So yes, non-believers also see the scary things but attribute them to hullucinations, which I believe they are.

Sorry I must have missed your post. I think though in order to see in hallucinations, you must first believe that they are real...

I have hallucinated when on LSD many years ago, during my teens. I could see the things (hullucinations) very clearly yet I knew them not to be real.

Ths actual seeing of entities during threse sleep paralyiss is called hypnogogic imagery and yes i believe skeptics see it too

I am not sure if your statement means one must believe in hallucinations to have them or that one must believe in the existence of the things in the hallucination. Please clarify.

Incidentally, I once hallucinated a scenario involving a large domestic cat (about 6 times larger than a normal cat) eating a car. I know such a beast does not exist.

Guess deep down, skeptics really believe after all

But that bee experience you mentioned was very interesting, I wonder if people see other animals they are afraid of, like maybe sharks, snakes, or spiders etc

Let me guess... substance abuse JK

So did you believe the cat was real when you saw it...? I know that people who take ice believe there are spiders and bugs crawling over there arms etc

Like the other's here, I agree that the OP should talk to his/her physician about this.

I always saw a laughing skeleton, sitting or dancing on my chest, when I would experience SP as a child.
I don't see much of anything when it happens now. I consciously know what it going on and I just wait for it to stop so I can go back to sleep.
I don't mind the pressure thing half as much as I do the feeling that I'm leaving my body. For some reason, that sensation terrifies me.

What i was saying is that if im lying in bed but i know im fully awake and i see a ghost then ill say i saw a ghost however if im paralysed at the time i would come to a whole other conclusiion . Itsl looking at all the other factors involved . LOL and there you go again assuming im a skeptic LOL

Im actually a skeptical believer !!! a skiever as jennie 1 kindly puts it . but there has to be a limit on what we put down to the paranormal otherwise it just becomes laughable .

If soemthing has been studied and a rational explanation has been put forward. its up too us to look at it and see if it matches what we know we have experienced and in my case it does, so what am i too do then, dismiss it because i'd rather some bees were sucking my life away or some entity had thought me special enough or bad enough to come and visit me and it would make a far better story !!

Im not actually afraid of Bees so i dont think it was a metaphor for my fears at all its was just a dream that happened while i was in a stage of half awake half asleep that seemed real because of those factors .

Obviously everyones experiences are different so each has too come to there own conclusion in the end and then do what they feel will be best to help there individual situation .

blessings SS79 x x x

Jennie omg i love that part lol it makes the whole paralysis worthwhile for me anyways !!

blesings SS79 x x x

I'd cover both options... see a doctor and pray... Saying that I can't comment on SP I have never experienced it, I have had nightmares that seemed real at the time.

I always think that's what it feels like to die.
Which would be o.k. when the time comes I guess, but I love my body and don't want to leave it, just yet.
It's also scary that I might not be able to get back in, does that make sense?
Anyway, to me, it is the worst part of SP.