IT FEELS LIKE BEING DRAGGED INTO HELL

Photographer Karina Lax, 41, from Sheffield, has suffered with sleep paralysis since her mid-20s

I first experienced what I now know to be sleep paralysis when I was feeling edgy about sleeping alone while my housemates were away. I ‘woke’ because, although I was lying in bed, it felt as though I was being dragged downwards.

I was filled with a sense of doom, a creeping horrific dread.

I could ‘see’ a shadowy figure through the frosted glass passage leading from my bedroom to the lounge but I couldn’t move. I wanted to run and flee – but my body was paralysed. I was terrified and it felt like I was being dragged into hell.

These episodes have continued irregularly ever since, but are more likely to occur if I’m tired to the point of exhaustion or I’m feeling apprehensive or scared about something.

After reading up on the subject, I’ve attempted various strategies to prevent it.

For instance, I try to fall asleep on my side. If I fall asleep on my back (or front), the feeling of being dragged down is intensified. I try to distract myself by concentrating on moving one part of my body, telling myself: ‘If I can move my little finger, I can move my hand’. And so on.

When the sensation passes, I find I need to stay awake because otherwise I pick up where I left off [as I fall asleep again].

It’s horrifying to feel terrified and panicstricken yet be unable to make a sound or move a muscle, but I’ve never discussed this with a doctor. It’s never really crossed my mind – probably because it doesn’t affect anyone but me and what can anyone really do?

And, apart from the odd blip (recently I had several unsettling nights in a row), instances are usually so far apart I’m able to forget them – until the next time.