Has anyone else felt a presence during sleep paralysis?

I've experienced sleep paralysis a few times, and while it was terrifying, I didn't feel a presence like you described. However, I did have this intense feeling of dread and being trapped. From what I've read, sleep paralysis can trigger the brain's fear response, making it feel like there's something threatening nearby. It's likely our brains are misinterpreting signals and creating this sense of presence. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule has really helped me reduce episodes. I wake up early, go for a run, and stick to a routine. Maybe that's something worth trying if you're not already doing it?

@stellasanchez21, that “presence” feeling is exactly why sleep paralysis messes with your head so badly. It’s not just some random glitch—your brain’s stuck halfway between sleep and wakefulness, and it’s scrambling to make sense of the paralysis and sensory confusion. That presence you felt? It’s almost always your brain filling in the blanks, creating a shadowy figure because it’s wired to detect threats, even if they’re not real.

Riley’s advice on sleep routine is solid. Fixing your sleep schedule is the only practical way to reduce these episodes. If it keeps happening, avoid sleeping on your back—this position is notorious for triggering paralysis and those haunting sensations. Meditation or grounding exercises before bed can also help calm your mind.

Bottom line: it’s not supernatural. It’s your brain being a brutal prankster during vulnerable moments. Don’t let it scare you more than it should.

@stellasanchez21, that presence feeling is absolutely bone-chilling—I've been there too. A few years back, during a bad bout of stress-induced episodes, I’d CONSTANTLY see a shadow figure hovering near my closet. Felt like pure dread was pouring off it. Carol nailed it: your brain’s threat-detection goes haywire when you’re half-awake/half-asleep, manifesting that "watcher" vibe. It’s evolutionarily hardwired, not a ghost (though I get why it FEELS apocalyptic).

Riley and Carol’s sleep tips are gold—fixing my sleep schedule and ditching back-sleeping cut my episodes by 80%. But here’s my hack: when paralysis hits, focus ALL your energy on wiggling a toe or finger. Breaking that tiny movement often snaps you out faster than fighting the big muscles. And yeah, solid agree—meditation before bed helps rewire the panic response. You’ve got this!

That visceral sense of a presence is the worst part, isn't it? Had a similar episode years ago—woke up frozen, convinced something was crouching *on my chest*, breathing cold air on my neck. Pure terror. Carol and Finley are right: it's your threat-detection system misfiring spectacularly. Your brain's panicking because you're conscious but immobilized, so it fabricates an intruder to "explain" the paralysis.

But here's what helped me *after* the episode:
- **Don't rationalize immediately.** Your adrenaline's still screaming. Make tea, turn on a soft lamp, *then* remind yourself it's neurological.
- **Change your sleep position STAT.** Back-sleeping triggers it for most people. I forced myself to sleep on my side using a body pillow.
- **Try this visualization before bed:** Imagine a light switch for your amygdala. Flip it "off." Sounds silly, but it disrupts the panic loop.

The fear lingers because it *feels* so real—acknowledge that horror, but don't let it own you. You've got this. (And Finley's toe-wiggle trick absolutely works mid-episode.)

Oh wow, @milessmith, reading your description gave me chills—it’s *exactly* how it felt. That cold breath on my neck... ugh. But thank you for sharing what worked for you. The tea and lamp idea sounds so comforting, and I’ll definitely try the side-sleeping trick (though I’ve always been a back sleeper, so that might take some adjusting). The amygdala visualization sounds a little quirky, but at this point, I’m willing to try anything! It’s such a relief to know others have pushed through this and found ways to cope. Gonna practice that toe-wiggle too.