Is Sleep Paralysis a Symptom of a Serious Problem?

Sleep researchers conclude that, in most cases, sleep paralysis is simply a sign that your
body is not moving smoothly through the stages of sleep. Rarely is sleep paralysis linked to
deep underlying psychiatric problems.
Over the centuries, symptoms of sleep paralysis have been described in many ways and
often attributed to an "evil" presence: unseen night demons in ancient times, the old hag in
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and alien abductors. Almost every culture throughout
history has had stories of shadowy evil creatures that terrify helpless humans at night.
People have long sought explanations for this mysterious sleep-time paralysis and the
accompanying feelings of terror.

What Is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person
passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be
unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel
pressure or a sense of choking. Sleep paralysis may accompany other sleep disorders such
as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is an overpowering need to sleep caused by a problem with the
brain's ability to regulate sleep.
What Causes Sleep Paralysis?
The basic cause of sleep paralysis is REM atonia:
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement (the sleep phase linked with dreaming)
Atonia means lack of muscle tension

When Does Sleep Paralysis Usually Occur?

Sleep paralysis usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while you are falling asleep,
it's called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it's
called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis.

What Happens With Hypnagogic Sleep Paralysis?

As you fall asleep, your body slowly relaxes. Usually you become less aware, so you do not
notice the change. However, if you remain or become aware while falling asleep, you may
notice that you cannot move or speak.

What Happens With Hypnopompic Sleep Paralysis?

During sleep, your body alternates between REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-
rapid eye movement) sleep. One cycle of REM and NREM sleep lasts about 90 minutes.
NREM sleep occurs first and takes up to 75% of your overall sleep time. During NREM sleep,
your body relaxes and restores itself. At the end of NREM, your sleep shifts to REM.
Your eyes move quickly and dreams occur, but the rest of your body remains very relaxed.
Your muscles are "turned off" during REM sleep. If you become aware before the REM cycle
has finished, you may notice that you cannot move or speak.

Who Develops Sleep Paralysis?

Up to as many as four out of every 10 people may have sleep paralysis. This common
condition is often first noticed in the teen years. But men and women of any age can have
it. Sleep paralysis may run in families. Other factors that may be linked to sleep paralysis
include:

 Lack of sleep

 Sleep schedule that changes

 Mental conditions such as stress or bipolar disorder

 Sleeping on the back

 Other sleep problems such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg cramps

 Use of certain medications, such as those for ADHD

 Substance abuse

How Is Sleep Paralysis Diagnosed?

If you find yourself unable to move or speak for a few seconds or minutes when falling
asleep or waking up, then it is likely you have isolated recurrent sleep paralysis. Often there
is no need to treat this condition.
You feel anxious about your symptoms
Your symptoms leave you very tired during the day
Your symptoms keep you up during the night
Your doctor may want to gather more information about your sleep health by doing any
of the following:

Ask you to describe your symptoms and keep a sleep diary for a few weeks
Discuss your health history, including any known sleep disorders or any family history of
sleep disorders
Refer you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation
Conduct overnight sleep studies or daytime nap studies to make sure you do not have
another sleep disorder
How Is Sleep Paralysis Treated?

Most people need no treatment for sleep paralysis. Treating any underlying conditions
such as narcolepsy may help if you are anxious or unable to sleep well. These treatments
may include the following:

Improving sleep habits -- such as making sure you get six to eight hours of sleep each
night
Using antidepressant medication if it is prescribed to help regulate sleep cycles
Treating any mental health problems that may contribute to sleep paralysis
Treating any other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or leg cramps

What Can I Do About Sleep Paralysis?

There's no need to fear nighttime demons or alien abductors. If you have occasional
sleep paralysis, you can take steps at home to control this disorder. Start by making sure
you get enough sleep. Do what you can to relieve stress in your life -- especially just
before bedtime. Try new sleeping positions if you sleep on your back. And be sure to see
your doctor if sleep paralysis routinely prevents you from getting a good night's sleep.

Definitions

Sleep paralysis is when, during awakening or falling asleep, one is aware but unable to
move. During an episode, one may hear, feel, or see things that are not there. It often
results in fear. Episodes generally last less than a couple of minutes. It may occur as a
single episode or be recurrent.

When people are dreaming, their muscles do not move, even if in their dream they are
moving. This is a natural process which prevents that people actually perform the
movements they do in their sleep. In general, people are not aware of this inability to
move, as it usually stops as soon as they wake up. People suffering from sleep paralysis
wake up and find that they are unable to move. This is because the paralysis has not
stopped. Usually it lasts for only a few minutes, and people have said they feel a
"presence" or "ghost" during it.

Culture and History

The phenomenon of sleep paralysis can be recognized in reports across different cultures
and throughout history. Perhaps the most famous historic example of sleep paralysis in
art is Henry Fuseli’s 1781 painting “The Nightmare”. This painting features many of the
classic symptoms of sleep paralysis. The central figure is portrayed lying on her back
with a demon sitting on her chest, and strange looking creatures in the background.
Many consider it Fuseli’s greatest work and it is believed to be one of the first artistic
impressions of sleep paralysis (French & Santomauro, 2007).

Accounts of sleep paralysis can be found in Persian medical texts dating back to the 10th
century. The first clinical observation was made by a Dutch physician in 1664 who
diagnosed a 50-year-old woman with "Night-Mare." It was believed to be caused by
demons or spiritual possession until the 19th century, when it was termed "sleep palsy"
and eventually "sleep paralysis" in medical texts.

Swiss painter Henry Fuseli's painting is said to be inspired by supernatural dream

experiences and the growing interest in sleep paralysis among doctors at the time. This
creepy little gremlin could also represent the sensation of chest pressure...or it could be
argued that he's just trying to get it in with this sleeping damsel.
There are a number of specific demons or creatures from all over the world
whose aspects directly match the symptoms of sleep paralysis. One is the Alp
that originates from German folklore and which is described as being a small demon-like
creature that wears a hat. Alps are male and they usually visit women in their sleep.
The Alp will sit on a victim’s chest, slowly crushing down on them until they’re unable to
move and have difficulty breathing. They’re also described as drinking blood from the
victim’s nipples. They’re also able to shape shift and become invisible due to the magic
in their hats.
The female version of the Alp is the Mare which behaves in much the same way.
However, the Mare also rides horses and can even ride trees. During sleep, Mares are
described as “riding” their victims. The Mare is how we got our name for ‘nightmare’
which, again, traditionally seemed to refer to sleep paralysis and not simply bad dreams.
Another creature of legend is the Old Hag who comes into the victim’s room, sits on
their chest, and sometimes steals their breath. Clearly, this creature is derived from old
tales of witches. Some refer to sleep paralysis as “Old Hag Syndrome.”
It’s possible that all the legends about sex demons like the succubus and incubus as well
as others have their origins in the malevolent experience of sleep paralysis and since
people had no way to explain the phenomenon they went with what they knew, the
supernatural. Combined with our ancestor’s natural fear of the dark, it’s fascinating to
consider that this one phenomenon might be responsible for nearly all our modern day
stories about shape shifters, vampires, and other demons of the night.
NOTES:
Sleep paralysis is not to be confused with “night terrors” where an individual will
awaken and sit bolt upright in a panic, often screaming and flailing their arms wildly,
unaware of their surroundings and not knowing where they are.
Sleep paralysis does occur more among people with mental disorders but those
taking anxiety medications were especially likely to experience sleep paralysis which just
doesn’t seem fair, really.
If you sleep on your back, what I consider to be a vulnerable feeling sleep position,
you’re far more likely to experience sleep paralysis and all its accompanying terrors.

REM stands for rapid eye movement. During REM sleep, your eyes move quickly in
different directions. That doesn't happen during non-REM sleep. First comes non-REM
sleep, followed by a shorter period of REM sleep, and then the cycle starts over again.
Dreams typically happen during REM sleep. Usually, REM sleep happens 90 minutes after
you fall asleep. The period of REM typically lasts 10 minutes. Each of your later REM stages
gets longer, and the final one may last up to an hour. Your heart rate and breathing
quickens. You can have intense dreams during REM sleep, since your brain is more active.
A lucid dream is a dream where the person knows that they are dreaming. The person can
then try to control things in the dream because it is not real. In a lucid dream, it is possible
to do anything the dreamer wants, such as flying. Some people have lucid dreams for
spiritual reasons, but they can also be used for fun or to stop bad dreams.
Transforming Sleep Paralysis into Lucid Dreams
Uniquely, this borderland sleep state acts like a gateway to the world of conscious dream
control.

You're already halfway to a lucid dream because your body is, technically, asleep while
your mind is consciously aware. These are also hallmarks of a lucid dream.

Difference

You lack full immersion into dream imagery. In sleep paralysis, your eyes are open (or
part open) and you're "stuck" in your real physical body as opposed to frolicking through
a meadow in your limitless dream body.

So the answer is to focus your awareness on re-entering that dream space.

On having your brain coordinate movements with a dream body and experiencing that
internally generated dream world.

The actual process of transforming sleep paralysis into a lucid dream is simple - but does
require some detailed explanation if we're looking at all the possibilities.

The good thing is, once you've learned how, you can gain control over the dream and
instantly direct it away from anything fearful and toward any beautiful dream scene your
imagination can conjure!