For a few months now, I often wake up at night and feel like there's someone in the room, even though I rationally know there's nobody there. Sometimes I feel paralyzed for a few seconds, and it's something that worries me. Could it just be stress, or is there something more to it?
It's not really "normal" in the sense that it happens to everyone, but it's pretty common and in the vast majority of cases it's nothing to worry about. What you're describing sounds like sleep paralysis, which happens when your brain wakes up but your body is still locked in the REM phase - it's annoying and a bit scary, but completely harmless. Stress, lack of sleep, and weird sleeping positions often trigger it, so before you start thinking about strange things try sleeping more and cutting back on anxiety a bit. If it keeps happening for months and it's wrecking your sleep, maybe talk to a doctor about it, but usually it goes away on its own once you understand what's happening.
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