I was 16 years old when it happened. It was late at night and I was in my room, sleeping. After a long day from school and doing loads of homework, I thought I deserved a hard earned nap. All was well... The house was so quiet; everyone else was asleep. Even the neighbors across the street were quiet that night too. Usually, they stayed out late and made so much noise when they came home. Anyways, here is my story:
Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? It happened when I was asleep when I felt my body go numb. I was half asleep, half awake. I tried to move, but couldn't. I felt like someone or something was preventing me from moving. Every time I tried to turn my head to the left, it was jerked back to the right! I was very scared. Then suddenly, my throat felt so tight and I could feel hands choking me. I knew that I had to do something so I forced myself to move and then everything was fine again. But I was frightened out of my wits that I couldn't go back to sleep, so I stayed up until I felt safe enough to go back to sleep. Was it just a dream, or did it happen for real?
The next day, I thought about what had occurred the night before. I didn't know why it happened. All I knew was that I was very petrified and confused. I'm not religious at all, and I don't ever go to church or pray. However, I do believe in the paranormal. I just don't know why this happened to me.
I'm just glad that after that, nothing like this has ever happened to me again and I am very thankful and would like to keep it this way. I cannot see ghosts, talk to them, or hear them. And I never want to have that gift/or experience. What happened to me was very scary! I would have a heart attack and just drop dead right there if it did ever again. *knocks on wood*
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I too am in agreement with most that what you experienced was probably sleep paralysis. There's a lot information on the internet regarding this, but just wanted to share my experiences with it to you.
Mine started when I was a teenager as well. The first time it happened to me, it wasn't that unpleasant, but each subsequent paralysis became worse. For me, the feeling of being choked feels very strong and very real. I've even had episodes where I've "seen" a shadow at the side of my bed that reaches out and starts choking me. I'm in my early thirties now and still get them from time to time. I've come to realize that (for me) they aren't necessarily paranormal but brought on when I've been under a ton of stress combined with lack of sleep.
I've had these episodes often enough that I have learned to recognize when they are about to happen. Sometimes I've been able to snap myself out of it before the "choking" stage. Other times, I'm too exhausted and just have to let it run its course. The experience, nonetheless, is still frightening, but at least I feel somewhat prepared for it. Mine typically only last a few seconds to a minute.
Thanks for sharing your story and take care. 😊