Sleep Paralysis

SLEEP PARALYSIS: FRIGHTENING MOMENTS BETWEEN WAKING AND SLEEPING

OVERVIEW: Sleep paralysis refers to a condition in which a person cannot voluntarily move for a few seconds or minutes during the time they are falling asleep or waking up. This state of being between sleep and wakefulness is called the hypnogogic state. Common sensations that take place during an episode of sleep paralysis are that of needing to call out but not being able to, a crushing sensation on the chest or other parts of the body, flying, falling, and suffocating. It is thought that sleep paralysis explains many of the reports of alien abductions and encounters with beings that seem to be from another world or another dimension.

CAUSES: It is unknown what causes sleep paralysis. It has been thought to be a symptom of narcolepsy, but it happens as often to people who don't have narcolepsy as it does to those who do. It seems to run in families. People who have panic attacks during waking hours often have sleep paralysis. Another factor often associated with sleep paralysis is that of having a disrupted sleep schedule. When a person's circadian rhythm, that regular pattern of being awake and asleep, is disturbed, instances of sleep paralysis are more likely to result.

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of sleep paralysis are that the person falling asleep or waking up goes through a period of a few seconds to a few minutes in which he cannot move or speak. It is somewhat normal to be paralyzed while sleeping, because you would act out your dreams otherwise and could be in great peril. Still, it can be frightening and alarming when you feel awake and that you want to get out of bed but you can't move. During times of sleep paralysis, the person often has vivid hallucinations or dreams. Sometimes they feel the presence of another being, a phenomenon called the "hag" experience.

DIAGNOSIS: To diagnose sleep paralysis, apart from a description of one's experiences, requires spending time in a sleep lab and being monitored while sleeping and waking. A polysomnography test can determine whether or not you have been experiencing sleep paralysis. A polysomnography test is a sleep recording. To show sleep paralysis, it must record one of three occurences. First, there might be a period of REM sleep during the time when the person is falling asleep. Second, the test might show dissociated REM sleep. Finally, the test might show suppressed muscle tone. Without one of those three findings, the diagnosis will not be sleep paralysis.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: Sleep paralysis happens most often when a person is experiencing a disruption in their sleep schedule, such as with jet lag, or perhaps when caring for a newborn. The best remedy is to implement good sleep habits. Sleep at the same time each night. Take a warm bath to relax you before you go to sleep. Get regular exercise, but don't do it too close to bedtime, or it might stimulate you. Make sure you are managing the stress in your life. If good sleep hygiene does not stop the sleep paralysis episodes, you can have a relaxing medication prescribed.