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I believe this is sleep paralysis. It is more commonly experienced upon waking up but on occasion can plaque people as they are about to sleep. I used to experience in this regularly and at very specific times. Both awakening and falling asleep. And I will admit that the 'falling asleep' phenomena is much more disturbing.
The key is to try and provoke the most slightest of movements upon realization of the paralysis. For me it is my pinky finger that I put all of my effort into moving. Often times the sheer concentration will cause you to 'unfreeze'. However, even though it feels like forever, you will always come to. Sometimes it just helps to ride it out and reassure yourself you'll be fine in a few seconds.
The good thing I have found about the type that occurs upon falling asleep is that often times you can just get up out of bed for a second and walk a short distance, go back and lay in a different position. For me this usually prevents it from happening again that night.
While it is frightening, it is also pretty harmless. And most of the time it can be prevented by altering habits such as caffeine intake at certain times as well as being sure you're on a well balanced and regulated sleeping schedule. Reduction of stress is another way to keep it on a tight leash.
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