I have this recurring dream where a shadowy male stands beside my bed. I think I’m awake, but I’m dreaming. It seems so real and vivid. It’s very disturbing and upsetting! I awoke and freaked out my wife last night as I climbed over her to move toward the phantom figure. –Brian, 50, Glendale, CA
Lauri: You are experiencing episodes of sleep paralysis. It’s a physiological reaction to lack of sleep, irregular sleep patterns or major stress. When we dream, our brain releases a chemical that paralyzes our skeletal muscles so that we do not get up and act out our dreams. Sometimes, we’ll start to wake up before our brain can reactivate our muscles, and we briefly get “stuck” in the hypnagogic state where we are awake and asleep at the same time. A common element of sleep paralysis is the sensation of a “presence” in the room. Even though it’s scary to experience, the cool part is that your brain waves are working at the rhythm of genius! This is the best time to get ideas and inspiration … or ask that phantom for a solution to a current problem. These annoying little episodes could actually be quite valuable to you.
Brian replies:I guess I dream this when I’m stressed. As a writer and filmmaker, I am intrigued by the creative potential of my dream—as long as I can harness it without crawling over my poor wife in the middle of the night!