thelittleoneisgretchenweiners:
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. People frequently report feeling a ‘presence’ that is often described as malevolent, threatening, or evil. An intense sense of dread and terror is very common. The presence is likely to be vaguely felt or sensed just out of sight but thought to be watching or monitoring, often with intense interest, sometimes standing by, or sitting on the bed. On some occasions, the presence may attack, strangling and exerting crushing pressure on the chest.
Sleep paralysis usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it’s called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it’s called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis.
Painting - Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard, Nightmare, 1800.
oh my god my entire childhood
not sure about the demon/creature watching you, but yeah being paralyzed and terrified and nervous right after waking up happened frequently
I remember learning about this in art appreciation class briefly. Awesome painting.
I’ve had this happen several times in my life, but only as an adult and old enough to understand what was probably happening.
I wonder how it would have effected my spiritual development had I gotten these as a child.
Anyway, I’d welcome one of these right now, if it meant I could get even partially to sleep.
