Is this sleep paralysis?!

Is this sleep paralysis?

I know this is really weird. I was laying in bed, I think I woke up from a dream? And I was bit on the neck, raped, and then choked. I was trying to scream, but I couldn't. I even tried banging on the wall, because my roommates are in the room next to me.. couldn't move. I was obviously terrified and thought I was losing my $%@ing mind. I came to the conclusion of sleep paralysis? These sorts of episodes happened to me as a teenager(early to mid teens). And I don't know if it matters, but I was sexually abused as a child. Are those kind of vivid hallucinations possible? The dream I had before the episode was of a woman and I was about to kiss her.. and thats all I remember from it. I also remember screaming at something/someone directly after the episode to get out of my body and felt like I was shooken kind of harshly. Really spooky! Sounds crazy I know!!

2 weeks ago
p.s. i would really like some kind of immediate solution for this problem.. since i haven't slept since the incident (too scared!) and i don't have another location to sleep available to me, really, other than a very uncomfortable couch. i don't think its healthy that i stay up for another night

I'm no professional but it safe to say you DO have a case of it. As a child I experienced it a great deal. I woke without able to move nor get out a sound and it was very terrifying! It wasn't till a few years ago that I learned about what was happening and sometimes simply knowing what is going on with you is enough to make you feel at least a tad more under control because at least you understand what it happening.

During the stage where dreaming occurs you experience what's called "muscular atonia" which means that the muscles in your body will be supressed during REM sleep. This prevents us from acting out our dreams. This atonia is supposed to cease when we move to another stage of sleep or wake up, but at times something goes wrong; the individual wakes up during REM sleep and this protective mechanism “atonia” does not terminate. This creates an inability to move: paralysis), and as the brain was just dreaming, this often results in frightening hallucinations.

Stress and sleep disturbances increase the episodes of sleep paralysis. Therefore, to minimize the number of episodes here are some things that may help:
• Reduce stress
• Exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
• Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, make sure you get enough rest.
• Some claim that sleeping on the side may help

If these things don't work than perhaps medication might be a good option, especially since your sleep paralysis does appear to be combined with post traumatic stress disorder due to the abuse you have endured. A psychiatrist can prescribe some medication that can help you.