What Is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is name given to the condition in which the person is not able to make any voluntary movements during the sleep or right after waking up.

When the person is not able to make any voluntary movement during the sleep then the sleep paralysis is called predormital type of sleep paralysis or hypnogogic.

If the patient can not make voluntary movement upon waking up then the condition is called postdormal form of sleep paralysis or hypopompic.

Sleep paralysis is often associated with possession by the spirit or a demon. Since the person experiences such periods where they lose control over the voluntary muscle movement and thus feel that something is holding them, they feel they are being attacked.

It is commonly observed that patients of sleep paralysis hallucinate of being controlled by a supernatural power.

Most common areas to get completely or partially paralyzed include legs, arms and chest. The patient may experience being choked.

Confirmation of sleep paralysis is done using polysomnography. Other names given to sleep paralysis include isolated sleep paralysis and familial sleep paralysis.

Causes

Sleep paralysis may not occur as a daily episode. There are certain factors than increase risk of sleep paralysis. Drastic changes in sleeping environments and excess stress disturb the mental balance of the person.

Most of the people who hallucinate may show symptoms of sleep paralysis. One should avoid sleeping straight with face upwards. The supine position is said to trigger the episode.

Sleep paralysis is a usually hereditary.

Prevention

The condition can be prevented by maintaining a regular sleeping routine. Any type of stress must be avoided before sleep. Exercising increases responsiveness of then muscles in the body. A regular exercise routine significantly prevents occurrence of the episodes.

Treatment

The treatment is based upon the criticality of the condition. If the person has been experiencing the episodes for more than 6 months then it is said to be serious. Accordingly antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be prescribed.

Natural methods to overcome sleep paralysis include changing the regular sleeping position and leading a healthy lifestyle. The patent is asked to quit smoking and drinking of alcohol.