Quote From: kitashla I think they missed something when helping Holly with her problem. (The woman who experiences horrifying nightmares.)
Sleep Paralysis. What she experiences is almost word for word what one experiences during sleep paralysis.
I've suffered from it for years. I've often had horrifying nightmares of demons and evil, waking up to feel demonic presences over me and pushing on me, being unable to cry out or talk or even move, or yelling once I finally pull myself out of it. Hearing the sound of demonic voices around my head and feeling an overwhelming sense of doom and evil.
It's horrifying and for years I also thought I was haunted by demons. (It didn't help that I was raised in a pentacostal household where even my toys were apparently possessed by demons.)
It wasn't until someone told me about sleep paralysis that it all made sense. The episodes are still terrifying, but I can now go to sleep afterwards. I no longer have trouble sleeping for days because of them. Knowing what was wrong has given me a great sense of peace.
The problem is that there isn't necessarily a fool proof way to get rid of sleep paralysis. There are some drugs that seem to work, but it isn't 100%. I'm concerned that Holly will try these "visualization" methods and be dismayed when they don't work. That it will more firmly place in her mind that she is haunted by demons when she simply is experience extreme amounts of stress and/or sleep deprivation. (That's usually what triggers mine.)
The relief I felt when I realized it wasn't demons and that everything, for what it's worth, was normal was exhilirating. I don't want anyone else who suffers from this to be any more scared than they have to be.
I think you've touched on something here. That's why earlier I said people with these problems need to be evaluted for pyschological and physical problems. I used to think I saw ghosts, heard voices, etc... Then my Dr. found out I have narcolepsy which can cause things called "hynogogic hallucinations". Which always seem VERY real, like a waking dream., and occur at the onset of sleep and during sleep. Also other health problems can cause visual and auditory hallucinations durking WAKING hours. The type of hallucinations or "visions" you suffer often mirror internal conflicts or things in your subconcious that are bothering you. A lot of times emotions that you hold back are released and effect what you see.
I think most of the guests could benefit from a work up from a physical Dr. and a mental health professional.
