It sounds like the start of a horror film: a shadowy figure at the end of your bed, a faceless presence sitting on your chest ...

Why are some people affected by sleep paralysis? – Tess, age 13. Falling asleep is a bit like flicking off a light switch. One moment we are awake, but then the switch is flicked and we fall asleep.

Many people who experience sleep paralysis see frightening hallucinations some call "sleep paralysis demons." - Illustration by Leah Abucayan/Alberto Mier/CNN Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified, ...

'It's terrifying and exhausting,' describes Charlotte Lewis, who, aged 31, has been battling with sleep paralysis for most of her life. 'I feel this sense of falling and then realise I’m paralysed and ...

ST. LOUIS — Have you ever been lying in bed falling asleep or waking up and notice you temporarily cannot move or speak but can see and hear? It lasts for a few seconds or longer. Maybe you try to ...

People may wake in the middle of the night and find themselves unable to move or utter a sound. They might see a shadowy figure hovering in the corner, feel a pressure on their chest or sense a hand ...

Maybe you’ve seen the meme: “This is my sleep paralysis demon: [insert photo].” The viral idea builds on a very real condition in which a person is conscious but unable to move. In some cases, people ...

You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. Follow Kelly Burch Every time Kelly publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox!

Josh Smith says it all started when he was five years old. He'd go to sleep and in the middle of the night, he'd wake up, his body rigid. One night stood out to him in particular: He was 16. He'd just ...

Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified ...

(CNN) — Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. CNN — (CNN) — Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our ...

(CNN) — Baland Jalal lay in bed terrified, experiencing his own real-life horror film. Newly awake, the 19-year-old could see his surroundings but couldn’t move or speak, and he didn’t know why. He ...