Sleep paralysis – What is it?

When sleep paralysis occurs you are unable to move your body either:

• When falling asleep (hypnagogic or predormital form)
• When waking up from sleep (hypnopompic or postdormital form)

Everyone experiences temporary paralysis while they sleep. Your brain tells your muscles to relax, so you aren’t moving around, injuring yourself or others. However, sleep paralysis occurs while you are awake. You may not be able to move any part of your body or be able to speak, all while being able to breathe and being fully cognizant of what is going on. Episodes can last from a few seconds too many minutes. These are quite frightening episodes because, unlike other parasomnias, you are awake and fully aware that you are unable to move your body.

What causes it?

Sleep paralysis typically surfaces in the teen years and occurs during most people’s 20s and 30s. It is not a serious medical risk, and reoccurrences do not disturb your sleep.

Possible Solutions

Treating sleep paralysis is aimed more at what causes the paralysis to occur, which, typically, is sleep deprivation. However, people with psychiatric issues may experience sleep paralysis as well. In such a case, an antidepressant is normal treatment.

Why get treatment?

Pursuing treatment options and discussing them with a sleep physician or your own doctor is important because you may find that your sleep paralysis is caused by another sleeping disorder. This will provide you with a better understanding of why you are having these episodes and how best to prevent them through proper treatment, directly or indirectly.