I Fear Sleeping!!! Any Help????

Im a 29 yo male and when I sleep I often wake in a terrified state - paralised most times, unable to move or make sound to wake my partner. I nightmare of things holding me down and of a presence of something in the house or the room. Often I open my eyes, or I at least think I have, and see things. Other times I have woken to think "!**@! that was a realy bad nightmare" only to hear doors close and the like seconds later. This has been an on and off thing for most of my life but has worsend considerably of late. I live in suburban australia and have lived in many different houses. I am afraid to sleep at night fearing what will wake me, after wich I will often not sleep for hours until I am settled or in some cases, convince myself that there is some unexplained presence in the house and go outside. To better help with suggestions, the following is what my partner witnesses...
I wake to hear him wimpering with strange (heavy, noisy) breathing. When awoken he stares blankly at me, the roof, the wall, the door - or anywhere else in the room, then after a few seconds, jolts as if startled and becomes fearful. He has been fearful of me, of the 'noises' in the house/room and of the 'presences' he feels in the room. Other times, I wake to feel him kicking/nudging me awake and when I awake him, he tells me that he could not wake up as if being held down by something.
He has also awoken scared and on one occassion, was as white as a ghost and genuinely fearful.

Any help would be great I dont care how strange it sounds I just want to sleep one night or even know what is happening