Wow, I am so glad I found these posts. I have had SP experiences before, but I knew it was sleep paralysis- meaning nothing strange, I was just woken up suddenly and couldn't move. Alarming, but not terrifying.
Then a while ago I had a horrible experience with what I thought was a demon, possibly the beginning of an OBE or maybe a dream, and I spent a long time trying to come up with logical answers to what happened to me. I am a nursing major so I knew sleep paralysis happens, but this was different. I worried I was going crazy. I am glad I am not alone with that experience of feeling like an evil entity is trying to control me/hold you down.
Jon Tore- I too saw words and symbols flash across my field of vision, but they were malevolent messages. I still don't really understand what happened to me.
If anyone wants to read the whole story- (it's a long post) Here is the link:
Possible Accidental Astral Projection Experience During Self-hypnosis?