It happened to be the first time when I was 17 years old, when I awoke one morning feeling strange, thinking I was dead, my body stiff and a little painful, strange, frightening figure seated on my chest that I couldn’t breathe and strange voices all over.
It was only a few seconds or a minute, but it’s a terrifying and strange experience that felt so real, and I wouldn’t want anyone to go through it. When my body returned to normal, I noticed my mother and sister standing beside me, worried as hell. That’s when I was told what had happened to me.
Diagnosed with sleep paralysis
They took me to a doctor, who couldn’t figure out what happened, but when it happened, again and again, the doctor referred me to another doctor, who concluded that I have sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis is a condition in which a person is aware but unable to move or speak while waking up or falling asleep.
According to the study, over 45% of cases are reported by Americans, and it affects people aged 14 to 17 years old, with women being equally affected as men. Initially, my mother did not believe it was a disorder; instead, she took me to a side gig where they told me lies about the condition.
Later, she took me to several churches where she believed I was possessed by demonic powers torturing me, but nothing changed. Instead, the condition impacted my life negatively. I developed an anxiety disorder; I feared going to bed, and every morning I could jump out of bed quickly, fearing I could get attacked if I stayed in bed longer. But, over time, I’ve learned to deal with my anxiety.
How overcame my sleep paralysis
After diagnosing me with sleep paralysis, the doctor advised me to get enough sleep and prescribed medication, which reduced the condition from occurring several times a month to once a month or not occurring at all. In addition, I exercise daily, provide a comfortable sleeping environment with appropriate bedding, sleepovers, and a clean, dark, and cool bedroom, and ensure adequate daylight exposure during waking hours.
