Sleep paralysis and hallucinatiions - formal diagnosis, what now?

Sleep Health General Questions
1

Has anyone used a particular modality to help with their sleep disorder that may be related to PTSD?

Hello :slightly_smiling_face:

I am new to this website having found it by chance.

I have had disturbed sleep since I was a young child - under 5 yrs. Now 52, I cannot remember sleeping through the night ever.

This year I finally was accepted to the sleep clinic and was told it was just a sleep hygiene issue. I am also had a brian scan and the neurologist said the same thing. The one great thing from this was I learnt that sleep hallucinations (others here refer to visitors) and sleep paralysis are known conditions.

My reason for continuing to research these topics and finding you all, is that the episodes of paralysis (full body, cannot speak, move or open my eyes) have become more frequent and longer this year. Why I saw the neurologist.

The episodes can last up to 3.5 hours. I know from the alarms on my phone that are supposed to wake me up, and the train timetable (particular trains only run at certain times in the morning). Hearing and sensing do still work.

They generally come on after waking, but when i feel tired and not ready to get up, or still fell like i am in dream state. Occassionally the paralysis has occurred while awake - at work and driving.

A long time ago I tried a technique I had seen on a documentary for rehab for a paraplegic - and it works. I start with one finger and my mind tells my brain to tell my body to move the finger. Eventually it moves and I add another finger, then the hand, arm etc. However, it can be exhausting, and sometimes if i stop moving the left side to focus on the right, the left goes back to sleep.

The longer episodes leave me feeling physically sore - tensing of muscles for so long, exhausted from the mental workout, and tired as I have not slept well. Also, I am late for work. So the condition is now impacting on daily life.

Common things I have noticed - mostly occurs when i have woken on my back. head /neck usually turned to the side - i have read this could be restricting air flow. elbows tucked into sides of body and hands as fists on chest. sometimes my feet are crossed. i have often thought, it is the body’s way of stopping me from moving, like i am bound like a mummy. even though the mind is awake - i can hear birds outside, traffic, trains, knocking at the door; my brain is protecting me from something and wants me to stay still in bed.

now i understand what is happening and that i can eventually fix it myself in the moment, i want to find a way to reduce the episodes or stop them. psychotherapy helped with my debilitating fear of the dark 20 years ago (what came first the fear or the over active brain at night?), now to work on the PTSD or whatever is triggering the espisodes.

Has anyone used a particular modality to help with their sleep disorder that may be related to PTSD? ie CBT, EFT, EMDR etc

thank you so much

tracy

2

I have had intermittent horrific dreams. Dreams of bodies being blown apart etc. I noticed that they usually occurred in the 4 to 5 months after a surgery that required me to be fully anesthetized.

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Hi Tracy

I am a psychotherapist specialising in trauma (complex, war-related, combat-related and simple trauma). I use EMDR and this is also really helpful for nightmares. I would recommend you take a look at either EMDR UK or EMDRIA depending on where you are located and you can take a look at the research or find out more from them.

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I have found that most doctors have never heard of sleep paralysis or that it is “nothing” to be concerned with. I told them it was obvious they had never experienced an episode or they would not dismiss it so easily. I too have had these episodes since a young child. My parents chalked them up as nigtmares as I would eventually break free and start screaming. I continued to have these episodes throughout my life - not knowing what they were or what caused them. It wasn’t until 20 years ago that I found a name for them. I am 71 years old and continue to have them periodically. The method of willing myself to move a finger or a toe, then another, and another until I break free is what I have used. I agree it is physically exhausting. It is emotionally draining as well. I worry each night that I will have another event. While there may be no known fatal outcome from these episodes I cannot help but worry that as I age the terror of it will eventually lead to heart failure. Brain scan and sleep study resulted in nothing more than some evidence of past TIAs. I am not convinced that talking with a therapist will improve anything. Is it neurological or is it physical or a combination of both or………. I wish I someone could determine a way to prevent it.

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thank you for sharing JIm.

that must be scary when you have those dreams.

i am having surgery in December so won’t worry if i have dreams like that.

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hi Jane Helen,

thank you very much for your suggestion.

i had been considering EMDR as it helped me to overcome my debilitating fear of the dark 20 years ago.

i have looked up the psychologists in New Zealand who specialise in EMDR. can i ask if you have any colleagues in NZ that you might recommend?

best regards,

tracy

1 Like
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hi @Brenda

thank you so much for sharing yoru experiences with me.

it is great to meet someone else who knows what this feels like and the impact on your life.

i think my paralysis started from the nightmares and hallucinations as a young child (monsters in the cupboard, ghosts standing over me in bed). i just thought i was laying very still on purpose. which has resulted in where i am now - without the fear of the monsters.

incredible how you have the same method to wake yourself and break free from the paralysis. the rational brain knows what to do so must be working.

i agree - while it doesn’t appear on the surface to be a fatal problem; being scared while sleeping puts pressure on the adrenals, heart etc. i also shallow breathe or stop breathing which must impact on the brain having lack of oxygen.

i had significant results in the past using EMDR after a number of traditional sessions with a highly experienced psychologist. what i thought were nightmare panic attacks - paralysis and hallucinations reduced by 75% immediately. sometimes i would have 2 episodes a night. over time reducing to only occuring about 25% of the time. now back to 3-5 nights a week.

i have been contacting different sleep research institutes to ask if they know of anyone studying this or are interested in studying it. if i get a response i will definitely let you know. :slight_smile:

can i ask what country you live in?

rest well,

tracy

8

Hi Tracy

I don’t know of any EMDR therapists in New Zealand but online EMDR is as effective as face to face EMDR and you can find many around the world who will offer this remotely.

I am based in the UK. Our organisation is: www.emdrassociation.org.uk

Best wishes

Jane

1 Like
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It’s a scary thing to deal with your whole life. Thank you for telling me about your success with EMDR. I will look into it and if you find any sleep studies in progress for this condition please let me know.

Until then - hang in there. Deal as best you can.

I am from the Midwest. Where are you from?

2 Likes
10

Hi Brenda

I live in Wellington in New Zealand.

Are you in the mid west of the USA or the UK?

Tracy