undermanager...

I too have experienced this same thing.  Although I don't remember anything quite like this from childhood, I have experienced it within the past 5 years. 

Every once and a while I will wake up out of a deep sleep because I feel like someone is standing over me.  I have seen a "shadow" with a head and arms standing beside my bed and even leaning over me.  Most of the time I just got so scared and would roll over and cover my head with the blanket, willing myself to fall asleep.  Over the past several months I have been determined to not fear whatever or whoever it is...the last time it woke me up and stood over me (it was waving its hands over me in a rhythmic fashion) I decided to swat at it.  It didn't go away, so I just rolled over and said, "I'm not interested right now."  I haven't seen it since, although every once and a while I still get the feeling that something is standing next to my bed.

It's never harmed me and it's been hanging around for a while, I'm not too concerned at this point.

Good luck to you...I hope you find the answers you seek.