What is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a temporary loss of muscle function in the entire body while sleeping.

It typically occurs:

• When a person is falling asleep
• Shortly after they have slept
• When they’re about to wake up

People with sleep paralysis usually experience this condition for the first time between the ages of 14 and 17 years old. It’s a common sleep condition. Researchers suggest that between 5 to 40 per cent of people may experience this condition. Sleep paralysis may occur along with another sleep disorder known as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming drowsiness and sudden “sleep attacks” throughout the day. This condition isn’t dangerous. Though it can feel alarming to some, no medical intervention is necessary.

Sleep Paralysis Symptoms

• Sleep paralysis isn’t a medical emergency. Being familiar with the symptoms can provide peace of mind.
• The most common characteristic of an episode of sleep paralysis is the inability to move or speak. An episode may last for a few seconds to about minutes.

You may also experience:

• Feeling as if something is pushing you down
• Feeling like someone or something is in the room
• Feeling fear
• Hypnagogic and hypnopompic experiences (HHEs), which are described as hallucinations during, right before, or after sleep
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling as if you’re going to die
• Sweating
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Paranoia

Episodes typically end on their own, or when another person touches or moves you.

Patients may be aware of what’s happening but are still unable to move or speak during an episode. They may also be able to recall the details of the episode after the temporary paralysis disappears.

In rare cases, some people experience dream-like hallucinations that may cause fear or anxiety, but these hallucinations are harmless.

Causes of Sleep Paralysis

Children and adults of all ages may experience sleep paralysis. However, certain groups of people are at a higher risk than others.

Groups that are at higher risk may include people with the following conditions:

• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Anxiety disorders
• Major depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Sleep paralysis may occur due to the disconnect between mind and body, which happens during sleep, which may happen due to:

• Poor sleep hygiene,
• Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea
• Disrupted sleep schedule
• Sleep paralysis can be genetic.
• Sleeping on your back Lack of sleep
• Lack of sleep

Diagnosis of Sleep Paralysis

No medical tests are needed to diagnose sleep paralysis.

The doctor might enquire about the patient’s sleeping patterns and medical history. They may also suggest keeping a sleep diary, documenting the experiences of sleep paralysis episodes.

Sleep Paralysis Treatment

Symptoms of sleep paralysis typically resolve within a matter of minutes

The experience can be quite unsettling and frightening.

Sleep paralysis alone doesn’t require treatment. But people with signs of narcolepsy should consult a doctor. It becomes more urgent if symptoms are interfering with work and personal life.

The most commonly prescribed medications for narcolepsy are stimulants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac). They help you to stay awake.

The doctor may also suggest a sleep study called a polysomnography.

They also monitor breathing and heart rate.

The key to reducing sleep paralysis is improving sleep routine, which can be improved by:

Avoiding blue light before bed

The room temperature should be kept low.

We at Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness centres in India offer our clients how to deal with the troubles of sleep paralysis and trauma from it.

Reach out to us and our experienced counsellors / therapists to get any kind of emotional and psychological help.