heh there are drugs but I'm not too keen on that. Mostly I know what triggers it for me so I just have to watch myself and follow kind of strict guidelines :) such as no naps :) that's an automatic trigger for me. One nap and I'll have hallucinations for hours

I'm not too big on the drug thing either... I understand that. Sometimes it causes more problems than it helps...although sometimes I do resort to taking sleeping pills when I am too exhausted to function. I used to suffer from horrible nightmares (which contributed to my insomnia problem.. I was afraid to go to sleep) The nightmares were the result of some unresolved issues... really bad things that had happened to me that I wasn't dealing with. Once I realized I had to face and cope with the things that frightened me, the nightmares became less frequent and finally stopped. Occasionally during times of high stress they reoccur, but you might consider talking to someone about it, I think that helps more than anything. (and I don't necessarily mean a psychiatrist... they are usually idiots... I mean if you have a friend you can call in the middle of the night when you're in the middle of an anxiety attack from it, it would be good to have somebody you could lean on)

oh I do Cindy :) my mom and my best friend are usually the ones that sit up with me if I need it. I've been to countless sleep clinics. I really REALLY hate those, because I have such interrupted sleep during that time, I'll have episodes the night after the test :) Mine are brought on by stress too sometimes, now i just make myself stay unstressed as much as possible :)

It sounds to me like you are very "in tune" with what's going on with you... which is the most important thing. What was worrying me was that you don't try to do it alone...there is nothing worse than the fear during/after a bad nightmare... it's like being 3 years old or something, I know. I used to wonder about opening up so much here, but I stopped worrying about that a long time ago... I have seen lots of good come out of people sharing here. You're okay. :)

oh, sleep clinics are only useful to fat old men with sleep apnia :D

I've had times like that, also. It usually is from unresolved issues and stress, as Cindy said. I think doing this is theraputic because it expresses the fear in a positive way, and helps you deal with it. This picture, along with the background about it, is very powerful. I agree about the drugs, clinics, and docs, too.. not a fan of any of them when it comes to solving real problems. I think talking and hugs work best. Here's one now . (((Joy)))

haha how ironic Cindy...my first sleep clinic there was a fat old man who stunk doing it also for apnea! hehe It is amazing how much you can feel like a helpless little child all over again just because of a dream

Thanks poppa *hugs* I usually don't tell people this instance too often because I get weird looks and vibes from them. Here, I'm sure people are still doing that, but I can't see them hehe You guys are wonderful! :)

Oh man... That's some really scarey stuff. What I hate about that experience is that it always seems so damn real! I've had it happen to me once, I was laying in bed, couldn't move, when someone started pounding on my bedroom door like crazy. I wanted to answer it, even say something, but I was paralyzed. Then, suddenly, I snored really loud and startled myself out of the trance-like state. I was very weirded out at hearing myself snore, but even more weirded out when there was no-one on the other side of the door...

Is there any way you can keep your eyes closed during your subconscious hallucinations?

Weird.. I've been trying to put myself in that state because it's a on the transition from being awake to being awake in a dream. Lucid Dreaming. I'd like to experience it, but sounds a bit weird/scary.

OMG This completely freaked me out only because I recognized that wolf-like thing from my own nightmares. I have a rather interesting background with it. Not just that but the state you were in describes mine perfectly almost minus the urge to kill anyone. Mine (and I cannot believe I am writing this) Mom had nightmares about it chasing me before i was born. Then I started having them. I would be so terrified to go to sleep that I would almost avoid it and then I would sometimes try to wake up and end up in something between asleep and awake. I would be aware of my surroundings and yet be caught in my dream. I would be struggling to open my eyes but couldn't and would have to scream for my mom to come shake me. I would also have dreams where I was fighting the creature. I never became it though. I did on the other hand have shapeshifting dreams where I would become a cougar ...thus my artist signature. I would wake up with grass in my bed and wonder if I sleptwalked. What is the name of the sleep disorder? I've not had these since I was 18 but still have some very vivid dreams. I would like to find out more about it. This is fascinating. I had just thought I should draw mine. I'd not checked in in awhile and wanted to draw something and I scrolled down and saw this. I am so glad you decided to go ahead and post it. I forgot to add I did have the urge to "hunt" when I dreamed that I shapeshifted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia