Follow-Up:
Hi. I have suffered from sp for about 5 years or so. It is very terrifying at times and I spent a lot of time looking for ways out. Unfortunately, there are no drugs you can take in order to relieve the symptoms. I have had to fall asleep with the t.v. on mute for the last two years or so after some particularly terrifying incidences. The good news is, once I am in it, I am able to get out without any trouble. The key is to recognize what is happening and not to panic. Stay calm and do not struggle. It is sometimes hard to organize thought in this stage, however, it is possible. Gather your will (kind of like tensing your muscles in your stomach) and order yourself to WAKE UP and release the tension at the same time. Invariably this works. It is your body, after all, and it has to listen to you. The reason for the paralysis is that your brain shuts off your motor functions while dreaming so that you are not able to act out your dreams. If this did not happen, you cold seriously hurt yourself. The mind wakes up before the body sometimes, and when this happens you find yourself paralyzed. In letting your mind know that it is time to wake up and release your muscles fromt the frozen state, you control the situation. Also, since going back to sleep right away causes it to return, get up, stretch, go to the bathroom and get a drink. This wakes you up completely and frees you to return to bed for what your body will perceive as a NEW night of sleep. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.