![](https://simplyhealth.today/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sleep-paralysis-stroke.jpg)
8. Stroke
A person who has experienced sleep paralysis for the first time may think that they have had a stroke. Some people even report feeling like they have died. They cannot move their bodies and they cannot speak during the time they are in sleep paralysis.
This can be very terrifying. Most people who suffer from sleep paralysis report it as being a very scary experience. Most of the time this is because they feel like there is a stranger present during this time.
This stranger may be at the end of the bed or in the room somewhere. The presence may even be directly on top of them holding them down. All of these things can be very frightening and when they finally overcome the paralysis they may feel the effects for a very long time.
They may only be able to move one part of their body at first, thus the reasoning behind thinking they have had a stroke.