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I Know An Old Hag: Sleep Paralysis

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It is one of the most astounding and frightening experiences a person can have, because it comes without any warning: You are awakened to find someone has crawled on top of you and has you pinned down to where you can't move at all. You look up to find yourself being attacked by something unspeakable: an alien; a demon, a rapist, something dark and evil that fills you with horror. Perhaps you'll find an Old Hag crouched on your paralyzed chest, and you can't breathe. You can't fight it. It is the nightmare of your life.

That is the one true thing: It is the nightmare of your life. You aren't being abducted by aliens, possessed by a demon, or raped: It is an extremely disturbing dreaming condition commonly known as Old Hag, which occurs during sleep paralysis.

Getting Through The Terror...

  1. How Do You Stop It?
  3. David Hufford on Sleep Paralysis
  4. The Creator of the Old Hag Image...
  7. These Misconceptions Don't Help!
  8. Sometimes It Can Be Lovely...
  10. Amazon Dreams
  11. Have Something You Want To Pin Down?
  13. About the Dreamworker:

How Do You Stop It?

When you find yourself awake and unable to move, concentrate on making one move or sound, no matter how hard it seems. That one thing breaks the "spell" of sleep paralysis.

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David Hufford on Sleep Paralysis

One thing I have not yet seen mentioned in my readings on the subject is brought up in this video: How often one will hear shuffling footsteps before being "attacked." I feel the dream state footsteps are triggered by a pronounced awareness of one's own heartbeat, and may be another sign that sleep apnea is occuring.
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The Creator of the Old Hag Image...

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These Misconceptions Don't Help!

There is an amazing amount of ignorance even within the medical community about what Old Hag is, which is why I take care about describing it as a hallucination: it is easier to understand (and accept) as waking up while still dreaming. These are some common misconceptions about Old Hag and sleep paralysis that makes things much worse:
  1. That it is a symptom of schizophrenia.
  2. That it is a sign of demonic possession.
  3. That it is supernatural or paranormal.
  4. That aliens are involved.
  5. That's it abnormal.
  6. That it is always nightmarish.

Sometimes It Can Be Lovely...

I once had an episode in which a woman I knew showed up in my house and announced she was going to clean my bathroom. I couldn't move or say anything, and wanted to stop her, badly! Then this wonderful, strong male arm crossed my chest and someone wonderful snuggled up against me, sighing "oh, just let her do it..."

I made no attempt whatsoever to break the paralysis!
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Amazon Dreams

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Have Something You Want To Pin Down?

Let me know what you think!

  • blue_bomber Dec 1, 2010 @ 5:08 pm | delete
    I am so pleased to have found this site. The video summed up so well what I thought was something that only I suffered from. It became so common once (3-4 days a week) I became scared of going to bed. The more it happened the less I slept and it became a vicious circle. Without experiencing it first hand nobody will understand the terror it brings. I have found herbal sleeping pills help to prevent it to a degree.
  • BusyQueen Oct 16, 2010 @ 12:09 am | delete
    Wow, I know 2 sane people, that this has happened too and they would not lie, glad I found your lens. I will email this info to them.
    The female told me that the ugly thing- woman was trying to suck the breath out of her, scary, huh?
  • sandralynnsparks Oct 16, 2010 @ 7:42 am | delete
    Tell the woman that that dream, of having breath sucked out, just might be a warning of sleep apnea. I have my worst Old Hag when I stop breathing, and the dream symbol almost always involves something that is taking the breath out of me.
  • Kerry Feb 13, 2011 @ 2:08 pm | delete
    iv had a similar expiereince, although my Residence is problematic with psychic problems, to much to say here :/ but the best way that i found was to imagine that your your being confronted, and then to say NO! and push as if you would in day to day, actually do it, and then Remember the Feelings that your producing when you say NO! the strength you feel, your Anger, your Right to not be violated, Vividly recall it, and when it happens again, litterally within yoruself Shout NO! Get Out of Me, as they Are trying to invade you and make you there Victim, these arenot nice people, they'v passed, but there Not allowed into the Good place,thats why there here :I any questions please email me kerrysymonds68@hotmail.co.uk i also found another way that stopped them coming back, Psychology :)
  • thomu84ohe Nov 4, 2010 @ 5:51 am | delete
    Nice lens, I've learn alot in reading it. I also like to share my lens Palawan hope you will enjoy reading it.
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About the Dreamworker:

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sandralynnsparks

People sometimes call me a madwoman, not knowing I'm okay with that: it's a madness that creates!

And now they call me Squid Angel, too - of Theate... more »

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