15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’

By Chrissy Stockton,
If you’ve ever woken up and been unable to move and/or seen some kind of dark figure in your room you’ve probably consulted Dr. Google and learned about sleep paralysis and “witch hag syndrome.” Although, if there really was a demon that attacks you in your sleep, a really great cover would be to convince the general public that it’s all in their heads… Here’s some true stories of people posted on Ask Reddit. Decide for yourself if you believe.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock

1. “Something whispered in my ear.“

I’ve never had any visual encounters but when it happened the first time I was laying on my left side and started to feel that pressure on my chest. When I realized I was paralyzed and started panicking, something whispered in my ear “Just coming in to say goodnight.” That’s when I felt like something was pushing me towards the edge of my bed. Terrifying shit.

2. Cats, penguins, and a shadownman, oh my!

I’ve had 3 sleep paralysis events in my life

I saw a cat sized shadow creature at the base of my bed and it slowly crawled up on to my sheets and finally upto my chest. I felt uncomfortable.

Another time I saw a shadow-man walking around my room, disappearing behind my open door. This was the scariest one I’ve had so far.

This one was the best. I saw a couple of surreal looking penguins walking around my bedroom. It was amusing and funny.

3. It takes extreme effort to wake up.

I get this on a regular basis, but mostly when I nap, not when I go to sleep for the night. I have never experienced the “demon”, but the experience is terrifying. I can see everything (or at least it seems like I can) but I am unable to move. It feels like if I don’t make every effort to move I will be stuck like that forever. I usually have to start by wiggling a toe, or a finger, and then keep that momentum going until I fully wake. It takes an extreme amount of effort and if I don’t keep the effort constant, I have to start all over again.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8

More From Thought Catalog

15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ is cataloged in , , , ,
  • http://karatekickandmangoes.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/sleepless-nights/ Sleepless Nights | KCVM

    […] I was waiting for my sister to finish dyeing my hair, I came across this article on Thought Catalog about sleep paralysis. Reading other people’s experiences made me remember my own sleep […]

  • http://www.upandasleep.com/sleep-paralysis/sleep-paralysis-demon/ Getting to know sleep paralysis

    […] 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ […]

  • http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/%5Bglgt%5D-good-article-read-4am-4564478.html#post83264065 [GLGT] Good article to read at 4am - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

    […] [GLGT] Good article to read at 4am 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ | Thought Catalog […]

  • http://www.photo-cool.com/?p=113314 [GLGT] Good article to read at 4am | Developed

    […] (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ | Thought Catalog […]

  • http://sleepanddreamscience.wordpress.com/2014/03/15/sleep-paralysis/ Sleep Paralysis | Sleeping Disorders

    […] 3 15 People on Their Experience with the ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ […]

  • http://deakinscicom2014.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/sleep-paralysis-how-to-wake-yourself-up/ Sleep Paralysis & How to Wake Yourself Up | Deakin SciCom 2014
  • http://victoriakgallagher.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/the-relentless-paralysis-of-sleep/ The Relentless Paralysis of Sleep | Victoria.K.Gallagher

    […] 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ […]

  • Happyboy94
  • http://clarityinsanity.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/15-people-on-their-experience-with-the-sleep-paralysis-demon/ 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ | CLARITYINSANITY
  • http://boyswagz.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/mysterious-monday-sleep-paralysis/ Mysterious Monday: Sleep Paralysis | boyswagz is back

    […] However in supernatural terms, this phenomenon is caused by a demonic presence that is squashing your body down, hence preventing you from moving. Sleep Paralysis demonic experiences […]

  • http://almaterapias.com/2014/10/26/hipnagogia-o-paralisis-del-sueno/ Hipnagogia o Parálisis del Sueño | Terapias del Alma

    […] la paralisis del sueño quedan con un sentido profundo de terror al haber sentido o visto una presencia malévola mientras estaba paralizada. Por otro lado, hay personas que experimentan visitaciones angelicales y […]

  • http://medical-life-insurance.us/the-creepiest-ghost-and-monster-stories-from-around-the-world/ The Creepiest Ghost And Monster Stories From Around The World

    […] And among those who suffer from it across many cultures, there is one, unsettling common feeling — a sense that a malevolent force is hovering over them in their immobile state. […]

  • http://www.quora.com/What-is-the-scariest-place-to-wake-up#ans9546873 Quora

    What is the scariest place to wake up?

    In the wee hours of the morning, in your own bed, in your own room, with the city lights visible outside your window. You’re fully awake and thinking clearly, so all the terrifying possibilities rush through your head as you realize that you are utter…

  • http://allthingsweird.com/enigma-of-sleep-paralysis-demon/ Enigma of sleep paralysis ''Demon''

    […] Have you ever been in sleep paralysis.I have experienced this 3 times if you have experience please share your thoughts in comments section or check this. […]

  • http://www.soulask.com/15-people-on-their-experience-with-the-sleep-paralysis-demon/ 15 People On Their Experience With The ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’

    […] Source […]

  • https://thoughtcatalog.com/daniel-hayes/2015/07/sleep-paralysis-facts/ 30 Facts About Sleep Paralysis To Consider While You’re Terrified, Frozen, And Unable To Scream | Thought Catalog

    […] The worst thing is when you try to fight or call for help. Your voice doesn’t work and your body will not respond. You just feel helpless. Ugh, I need to stop trying to remember these things. I’m getting chills. [Source] […]

  • http://www.the-line-up.com/creepy-facts-sleep-paralysis/ The Lineup | Frozen in Fear: 30 Creepy Facts About Sleep Paralysis

    […] The worst thing is when you try to fight or call for help. Your voice doesn’t work and your body will not respond. You just feel helpless. Ugh, I need to stop trying to remember these things. I’m getting chills. [Source] […]

  • http://cultureofawareness.com/2016/07/23/peter-tosh-and-the-sleep-paralysis-phenomenon-part-23/ Peter Tosh and the Sleep Paralysis Phenomenon – Part 2/3 | Culture of Awareness

    […] Stockton at Thought Catalog compiled fifteen stories from people who’ve experienced sleep paralysis. Some of them are […]

  • http://openheartedrebel.com/2016/07/23/peter-tosh-and-the-sleep-paralysis-phenomenon-part-23/ Peter Tosh and the Sleep Paralysis Phenomenon – Part 2/3 – Openhearted Rebel

    […] Stockton at Thought Catalog compiled fifteen stories from people who’ve experienced sleep paralysis. Some of them are […]

  • http://cultureofawareness.com/2016/07/25/peter-tosh-and-the-sleep-paralysis-phenomenon-part-33/ Peter Tosh and the Sleep Paralysis Phenomenon – Part 3/3 | Culture of Awareness

    […] of Chrissy’s readers has had three interesting and unsettling paralysis experiences in his/her life. During the first […]

  • http://openheartedrebel.com/2016/07/25/peter-tosh-and-the-sleep-paralysis-phenomenon-part-33/ Peter Tosh and the Sleep Paralysis Phenomenon – Part 3/3 – Openhearted Rebel

    […] of Chrissy’s readers has had three interesting and unsettling paralysis experiences in his/her life. During the first […]

  • https://thoughtcatalog.com/xstockton/2016/11/kim-kardashian-west-and-kendall-jenner-opened-up-about-what-its-like-to-have-anxiety/ Kim Kardashian West And Kendall Jenner Opened Up About What It’s Like To Have Anxiety | Thought Catalog

    […] Jenner has also been experiencing anxiety lately as she’s had bouts of sleep paralysis, a truly terrifying phenomena in which you wake up, but are still unable to move. Sleep paralysis can be accompanied by visual […]

  • http://www.celebrityvirals.com/kim-kardashian-west-and-kendall-jenner-opened-up-about-what-its-like-to-have-anxiety/ Kim Kardashian West And Kendall Jenner Opened Up About What Its Like To Have Anxiety - CelebrityVirals.com

    […] Jenner has also been experiencing anxiety lately as she’s had bouts of sleep paralysis, a truly terrifying phenomena in which you wake up, but are still unable to move. Sleep paralysis can be accompanied by visual […]

  • https://celebrityvirals.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/kim-kardashian-west-and-kendall-jenner-opened-up-about-what-its-like-to-have-anxiety/ Kim Kardashian West And Kendall Jenner Opened Up About What Its Like To Have Anxiety | Celebrity Virals

    […] Jenner has also been experiencing anxiety lately as she’s had bouts of sleep paralysis, a truly terrifying phenomena in which you wake up, but are still unable to move. Sleep paralysis can be accompanied by visual […]

  • http://buzznova.net/kim-kardashian-west-and-kendall-jenner-opened-up-about-what-its-like-to-have-anxiety/ Kim Kardashian West And Kendall Jenner Opened Up About What Its Like To Have Anxiety | Buzz Nova

    […] Jenner has also been experiencing anxiety lately as she’s had bouts of sleep paralysis, a truly terrifying phenomena in which you wake up, but are still unable to move. Sleep paralysis can be accompanied by visual […]

blog comments powered by Disqus