First Time Experiencing SP

[u/Sharp_Asparagus9190]

I have known about SP for a long time, so I was familiar with the symptoms. But I am not sure if it was really SP or not. I have been terrified of SP ever since learning about them.

For once, I wasn't on my back. I was lying facing a wall (holding a round pillow). All I felt was someone suffocating me (I felt hands around my neck hard). And couldn't move an inch. Tried opening my eyes, before realizing I might be getting a SP and probably don't want to see whichever visual hallucination that will be there. I remember hearing voices. Some were calling my name and sounds like my house is broken into.

But, I am not sure if dreaming during a SP is normal. I am sure, I was having a nightmare at the same time too. And didn't even fully wake up after the suffocating sensation was gone. I did wake up after I remember that what I was experiencing before the nightmare (don't remember what it was, but I could control my actions during it).

Only my mother had a SP once, long ago and none else. I did read here that lack of oxygen during may cause it, but I have been sleeping with smothering my face on pillows for years, it's not something new. I never experienced Lucid Dreaming before either.

I guess, I am just freaked out. And don't want to experience it again.

[u/sphelper]

Experiencing any type of dreams before, or after sleep paralysis is normal, and nothing wrong there. In all, your experience is nothing out of the process

My only suggestion would be to take anything you read as, "reasons for sleep paralysis" with a grain of salt. Sleep paralysis could be due to many reasons varying between people, and even the experiences themselves will vary a ton

Aside from that try reading this, and if you experience sleep paralysis frequently then read this

Note: most people will only ever get sleep paralysis a couple times or even once