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Expert Explained: What is Sleep Paralysis
28.09.2023 21:29
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:23
Sleep paralysis is quite common. It affects about 7% of the population.
How to tell if you have sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis occurs due to an error in the brain at the interface between wakefulness and sleep.
This leads to the fact that during the rapid phase of sleep a person sees very realistic dreams.
The brain, in order to prevent the body from moving - because it can accidentally harm itself - temporarily paralyzes it.
Sleep paralysis occurs when falling asleep or waking up after a night's sleep, but practically does not occur when waking up from daytime sleep.
The episode most often occurs in the supine position and is characterized by the inability to make voluntary movements and pronounce a word, only eye movements are possible.
Why is this happening
It is believed that sleep paralysis can be caused by stress, chronic sleep deprivation or poor sleep patterns.
It may also be associated with anxiety disorders, which somehow cause insomnia.
As a rule, sleep paralysis is not a predictor of any mental illness.
Should you be afraid of sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis is not included in the list of medical diagnoses, is not a symptom of the disease, is not life-threatening, and may not be accompanied by hallucinations, chest compression, suffocation, or panic attacks.
This syndrome is called isolated paralysis, it is unpleasant, but safe.
