Intense fear of sleep paralysis

[disneyandme]

** please don't talk about any experiences you've had with this as it triggers my fear even more **

Hi everyone. Hope all is well. I had a horrible night last night as I was crying and shaking in bed because I'm so afraid of getting sleep paralysis (I never have before). This has been one of my biggest fears since I was about 10 and heard my older brother talking about it. My mom would always tell me it's not real, but now I know that it is in fact a real thing (thanks Google). Yesterday, my friend got in my car and told me she had just woken up from sleep paralysis. Of course OCD made it that I had to ask her exactly what happened, etc. I'm so panicked that this will happen to me (that I won't be able to move, will hallucinate and see demons and other awful things). What's even worse is that they say there's no way to prevent it from happening. I'm so afraid of this, and I'm so worried that my sleep is going to be completely messed up from now on. I eventually fell asleep and everything was fine but I only got 5 hours (usually 8). But of course now I have to worry that it could happen tonight. And they say stress makes it more likely to happen so stressing about it is gonna make it happen 😭 what do I do

[Aleese]

Hi Disney girl-sorry what you are going through. Remember: Fear and OCD Fear will try to creep up any where it wants to-please don’t let it try to mess you up. Think good thoughts and fun thoughts with your upcoming fun Disney World. Oh...wait a minute, are you still going with Hurricane Dorian heading to Florida? Hmmmm

Thinking of you Disney girl😊

Anyway, I don’t know about this sleep paralysis that you mentioned, but I do know that OCD will try to sneak in anywhere it can. And stress - change can provoke it. Thinking of you with a prayer and a hug 🌺🙏🏼

The very best to you young lady,

Aleese-

Try to hold on until you can get back to therapy. If it’s something that’s plagued you since a child, it sounds like it needs attention.

Meanwhile I like this saying:

Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real

[disneyandme in reply to Aleese]

Hi Aleese! Thank you. I had been doing so well but I don't have much ammunition against this one, it's hard because it messes with my sleep schedule. Hurricane Dorian did affect my trip- my flight was supposed to be Tuesday but is now rescheduled to Wednesday (hoping that doesn't get cancelled too). But luckily, now I was able to get an appointment with my therapist that day (the 3rd) so hopefully she will be able to help me get this under control before my trip, or at least give me a better way of dealing with it.

[Aleese in reply to disneyandme]

I am so glad you will now be able to see your therapist before you leave on your trip. What a relief! And yes, you’ve been doing so very well and now you just have another kink to get through. You will : ) Let me know how you do. And, let’s hope the hurricane goes out to sea👍🏼

Have a very nice/peaceful Memorial Day weekend-

[Selesnya]

I really should be working now and not doing OCD things.

I hope that this helps as a reminder:

instagram.com/p/B1SAKgUgyO_/

[disneyandme in reply to Selesnya]

Thanks Selesnya!

[alyssuh]

I know its hard to do, but try to little by little tell yourself that although its a possibility, you will put your mind into a state where you can sleep peacefully. Trust me, i know how hard it can be to take back control of your mind and not stress about the fear of something happening, but with telling yourself that you know its possible, over time you will feel calmer about it and the fear SHOULD go away. I have done it with a couple things and it does take a lot of practice

[disneyandme in reply to alyssuh]

Thank you!! For some reason this fear is so hard for me, especially knowing that this condition is real and knowing that falling asleep is where it would happen- it makes me anxious which makes it even harder to fall asleep normally (which then makes me worry I'm gonna make myself get this condition because stress can cause it).

I think we might have the same first name- my name is Alissa as well :).

[alyssuh in reply to disneyandme]

Awwa cool, hey alissa! mine is spelt with a y instead of an i. But yes gurl i understand the feeling of dealing with fear when its something real that could happen to anyone. Yes stress is the cause of soooo many things! So we all need to make sure we can destress and bring ourselves to the present and what is reality and be okay with it. Super tough but worth it

[Hidden]

God don't make junk my friend you can relax knowing that he is watching over you. Expect not and never be disappointed !