[tomrod]

I get sleep paralysis regularly, especially recently with staying up late nights working on the dissertation.

I've learned I can "break" out of it--and it's an extremely difficult effort. It leaves me feeling exhausted for hours afterwards.

[cloverich]

I also get it regularly, about a 3-4 times a month - and learned to "break out" (such an apt description!) as well.

Lately, I've gotten to the point where sometimes I can remain calm, and instead of breaking out, just sort of wait it out. Its odd, but I've noticed it takes me around 1-3 minutes to get out of it, and it seems if I can remain calm for that duration, that I'll get to a point where I can move out of it on my first try. Its got me questioning whether I ever really break out of it at all, or am just convincing myself that I am until the 'timer' runs out. If I could consistently remain calm and wait, I'd probably know by now - but Im only occasionally able to do so.

Anyways, just thought I'd share my experience for any other regulars :)

[pitchpipe]

When I was in third grade I started getting sleep paralysis. Back then I learned the trick for me was to relax. I would pop right out of it when I relaxed. I don't know if you've ever tried this, and I know that it's not the easiest thing to do when it's so terrifying, but it really worked for me.

The only time I ever broke out of it (using the power of will instead of relaxing) I went into the most terrifying nightmare I ever had (I didn't really break out.) Anyway, I was lucky in that I outgrew sleep paralysis.