So, the first time I ever experienced sleep paralysis I was like ~5-7yr old. I was at my grandma's house staying the night. Had a nightmare of a stereotypical witch on a broom chasing me. Ofc I was running, but not fast enough. When the witch finally caught me I 'woke up' but unable to move or open my eyes, couldn't talk or scream.

Still in an in-between state of consciousness and lucid dream, I was finally able to jerk a leg or arm. That seemed to finally kick start the rest of me. Sat up breathing heavily, but further horror ensued. My eyes had been completely encrusted shut, from tears I guess? I had to physically pry my eyes open.

Years later it would happen again to various degrees. At one point it would happen so often it just got annoying. I'd be fully aware of what was happening. Sometimes I could open my eyes and look around, but could never move my head.

It's been probably close to 20 years since it's happened to me. I don't miss it, much.

[–] hDGGgrLpg8nEucjxWnJz@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Did you ever notice a cause? For me it's going to sleep dehydrated, or extremely tired or both

[–] terminhell@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

Unfortunately no. Seemed completely random. Maybe just hormones of growing up?

[–] chiwiu@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Sleeping with some light (the blinds not shut completely) was a cause for me, along with stress. No light, not able to see anything waking up, no eldritch horrors in the room and I probably fall asleep again.