It's a phenomenon known as
Sleep Paralysis. Some people in the US who make a connection to the supernatural might refer to it as the phenomenon known as "Night Hag". You should talk to your doctor to make certain that it is not some other sleep disorder, however.
Scientists say that it is common for those who experience sleep paralysis on a regular basis to have another sleeping disorder, even narcolepsy; and they attribute sleep paralysis to stem from one of many factors:
Quote:
* Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards)
* Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
* Increased stress
* Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
* A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams.
* Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines
Suggestions I have for you:
Make an appointment with your doctor voicing your concerns over the event. Record in a journal this and any other incidences of sleep paralysis you experience. Also write down your sleeping habits, stress factors, and any sudden changes in your life recently.
Try having someone check on you around 90 minutes after you've gone to sleep. Or, if you suddenly wake before you've had a dream, try recording it in your sleep journal.
You may also be experiencing a
night terror. In which case, if your doctor diagnoses you as having night terrors, he may want to prescribe a medication to help with it.
If you're afraid of trying a medication right away, try getting some St. John's Wort in a tea form or even in capsulated form. St. John's Wort has been noted to be able to help with night terrors and also works to aleviate stress and mood swings. St. John's Wort is a safe herbal treatment, and you can acquire it without a prescription. According to the
Night Terrors Resource Center, only a small number of people who take St. John's Wort experience any side-effects, which are exponentially more mild than the side-effects from a prescription drug that your doctor might prescribe. Make sure, however, that if you decide to take St. John's Wort that you do not get arrogant and think that you don't need a doctor's evaluation on the matter-- this would be a foolish presumption. Also, be sure to tell your doctor of ANY herbal remedies you are taking at such an appointment or any check-ups, for that matter. Some herbal remedies have been known to interfere with medications, and others, such as Atropa Belladonna (which has been used for centuries as a sedative) are highly toxic and should only be handled or taken once you are confident that you know how to properly use or handle such an herb. Also, most herbal remedies have not been aprooved by the FDA, so many of these herbal remedies should be handled, like any drug, with the utmost care.
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