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Help for a friend - desperate!!!


Posted by Gerrie Paino on February 04, 1998 at 11:21:44:

Greetings to all--

I have never been to this forum before; however, a friend of mine has been experiencing something very unusual and I need to find help for him as I am worried for his mental health at this point.

Here's the story: Just as he's about to drift off to sleep, my friend suddenly feels as if he's outside his body. As he looks down at his body on the bed, he feels ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that he will die if he isn't able to move his body. He says he is in a state of pure terror at this point, and, as much as he fights, he is unable to do anything or move a muscle. Then, just as he feels he is about to die, his body suddenly jerks and he's back inside.

Because of these experiences, he is petrified to go to sleep as he is certain that next time, he will not be able to move and will die in this state.

I don't know where he came up with this term, but, he's referring to some aspect of this experience as "alpha jerk." I have tried an internet search with this term and have fond only information on "hypnic jerk" experiences that are not like my friend's. He believe's his experiences are due to "an over-release of the brain's dreaming chemicals or the spine's dream-state paralytic agents, or a possible combination."

PLEASE, if anyone can help or direct me towards aid for my friend, I would deeply appreciate it!!!

Feel free to e-mail me directly at gpain@bw.edu

Thanks so much for ANY help you can offer!!!


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