Hello. My name is Amy & I am 26 yrs old. Just within the past yr I have developed some sleeping problems that have been hard for others to understand because they have never experienced it themselves. It is very frustrating being alone in this. Basically what happens is, in my sleep, I become aware that I am dreaming. I am mentally aware & it is a struggle to try & wake up. Sometimes I can feel the position I am lying in but I am paralyzed & cannot move to wake myself nor can I open my eyes even though I try to. It is very frightening. I've looked into conditions such as sleep paralysis as well as lucid dreaming. What I don't understand is why I suffer from this almost every night. It makes me afraid of even going to bed for fear of it happening. I usually wake with my heart pounding & I suffer from anxiety a few hours after actually getting up, for fear that I'm still in my dream & just think I'm awake, almost like a panic attack. I literally have to snap myself out of it. (many times in the struggle to wake, I dream that I get up & it's pretty vivid) Is this a common condition & is there medication that is recommended for this? Is something wrong with me? Any information would be helpful. Thank you for your time.