Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is the worst form of a nightmare that one can experience while asleep. Physiologically, it is closely related to paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, more commonly known as REM atonia.

Sleep paralysis is a frightening form of paralysis that consists of a period of inability to perform voluntary movements either upon falling asleep or upon awakening. The condition comes over a person when he is about to drop off to sleep or has just woken up from it. Research shows that sleep paralysis is directly linked with REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep or simply deep sleep.

In REM sleep the brain switches off the muscles (so to speak) and relaxes the body so that the body cannot act while dreaming, and hence the body is paralysed to some degree. However, when the mind wakes up, usually still in a semi-REM state, and does not order the body to move, the body is still relaxed and semi-paralysed. This ill-timed disconnection between the body and the brain causes sleep paralysis. In short, it occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the body paralysis persists. This leaves the person fully conscious, but unable to move.

The state is frightening as a person is fully alert and aware of his surroundings but is unable to move or speak. It becomes more frightening because of his lack of knowledge and experience.

The patient may feel a lot of pressure on the head and chest or even suffocation. The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, after which the individual may experience panic symptoms and the realisation that the distorted perceptions were false. Then as soon as the brain sets up communications with body the person is able to move again and things start to get back to normal.

The condition is also known as “the Devil on your back” in some cultures, for during sleep paralysis, the effected individuals may feel as if someone is sitting on their abdomen and strangling their neck, suffocating them. What’s worse is that the condition is a hundred times more painful than it is described above.

The common symptoms of sleep paralysis are a sense of strange smells or hearing noises with a complete to partial paralysis of arms, legs and upper torso. A person going through sleep paralysis can feel the presence of dark shadowy figures in the room. In addition, the paralysis state may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations and an acute sense of danger. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness and clarity of such hallucinations, which makes them seem almost real.

However, the attack of sleep paralysis is common and harmless, for it is just a sleep disorder and not a serious disease which many people suffer from. According to a national survey, about 30 per cent of our general population has experienced it. A large number of people suffer one or two episodes during the course of their lives and several studies have concluded that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lifetime. The condition can also run in families.

Sleep paralysis is the symptom of narcolepsy — a disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable sleep attacks. But it is also common in healthy people. Though very little has been discovered about the real causes of sleep paralysis, there are various factors that lead to it, such as abnormal sleep schedules including naps, sleep deprivation, sleeping on your back in a face upwards position, high levels of stress, sudden environmental or lifestyle changes, daily consumption of sleeping pills etc.

The treatment for sleep paralysis starts with educating the patient about various sleep stages and about the muscle atonia that is typically associated with REM sleep. For most healthy individuals, avoiding chronic sleep deprivation is enough to relieve symptoms of the condition. Episodes of sleep paralysis can be minimised by taking scheduled sleep. It is also important to observe the position of your sleep, for if every time you find yourself in the same position after you are paralysed, avoid that position. However, if the case is severe and the individual experiences the situation at least once a week for as long as six months, then he/she should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Maintaining healthy eating habits is also crucial. It is recommended that patients be evaluated for narcolepsy if symptoms persist.