Halachot and Customs
How Should I Appropriately Address "Sleep Paralysis"?
Question
Greetings,
I have been experiencing a phenomenon called "sleep paralysis" for the past three years (you can read about it online if you haven't heard of it).
Right before I fall asleep, or immediately after awakening—I am fully conscious, seeing the room, and I also definitely see—
demons/
I hear various sounds, such as footsteps for example/
I feel a very intense physical sensation that someone is "sitting on me" (sometimes I also see the figure)/
I sense a presence of some entity in the room even when I do not see it/
I feel as if I'm being lifted in a kind of "hovering" above the bed (sometimes accompanied by very scary music, like from a horror movie)/
Sometimes I feel that someone is touching me—trying to wake me up—I wake up and suddenly see a hand (not always human) holding me by the shoulder/
And even if I do not see the figure, I feel it penetrating me into my body, like a kind of dibbuk. It even happened once that this occurred when I hadn't gone to sleep at all; I was just in bed, not even tired, and it happened right after I lay down. I have many more examples, but I guess I have expanded enough...
It is something very frightening; you cannot move, hence it is called "sleep paralysis"..
This phenomenon is quite well-known. It occurs in about 10% of the population..
Here’s a quote from Wikipedia: "Sleep paralysis" describes a state where one awakens, but the body remains paralyzed as during REM sleep. Part of the dreaming mechanism is still activated, even though in terms of consciousness, it is a state of wakefulness. In this state, brief hallucinations can also occur, such as monsters moving before the eyes or figures descending upon the dreamer and pressing down on them."
I performed a pidyon nefesh for several days in hopes that it would help, but it did not...
My husband is in the room with me, I cannot wake him when this happens, as I am in paralysis..
Is this real? Or just hallucinations?
And how can it be treated if it is real? I am afraid to go to sleep; last night I only slept for two hours because of these matters...
Answer
Greetings and blessings,
Indeed, as you have written, this is a well-known and fairly common medical phenomenon. While it is certainly unpleasant, it is not related to any real situation at all, and there is no reason to fear it, either physically or spiritually [other than normal precautions, and appropriate corrections as needed - and thereafter trusting in Hashem that what He does and will do is definitively the best for me]. You can read more here.
I would also suggest being diligent in reciting the Shema before bed, and not speaking after the Shema until falling asleep. Prepare a cup and a netilah near your bed, and immediately in the morning, wash your hands three times, alternating between each hand. May you merit a calm and restful sleep, with Hashem's help.
With blessings,
Binyamin Shmuali
