Sleep Paralysis Is Not Uncommon

Sleep paralysis is a condition in which you are unable to move either at sleep onset or on awakening.

You lie down on the bed for hours, trying to wiggle your fingers or toes, but you are paralyzed.

You cannot call out for help as you can’t draw a deep enough breathe to make the sound. After sometime you are able to move slightly and your body begins to respond. This can happen to anyone.

Sleep paralysis can happen at the beginning of sleep or end of sleep. The event lasts for few minutes and there is no harm with sleep paralysis.

It’s terrifying for the first time when the event occurs. You may feel a presence which is threatening or evil. It is vaguely felt and though to be watching or monitoring you.

Sleep paralysis occurs as the body is coming out of rapid eye movement sleep. During REM sleep, your brain will be very active but you are actually paralyzed.

The main symptom of sleep paralysis is partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis during the hypnogogic states. Events can be associated with hypnogogic hallucinations. The hallucinations can be visual or auditory.

Sleep paralysis is mostly related to narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which you may have uncontrollable naps. But some of them who experience paralysis do not have symptoms of narcolepsy.

If you have disturbed sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disorders, you may experience sleep paralysis. You may also experience paralysis if you are under going sleep deprivation or working odd shifts. It can also get with stress or anxiety.

Dealing with sleep paralysis:

• Sleep paralysis affects different people in different ways. Recognize the symptoms, as it will be easy to handle the symptoms.
• You can easily deal with the event if you know you are not the only one. Share the problem with your friends and family members.
• Determine what causes paralysis. The causes may include sleeping position, stress, environment and dreams. Note the conditions of your episode of sleep paralysis. Note the details of the sleep patterns, sleep position, before paralysis event and after the event. This information can be helpful if you decide to visit the doctor if the condition is serious.
• Sleep at regular sleep schedule. Going to bed at the same time and waking up in the morning at the same time and getting enough sleep can reduce the risk of sleep paralysis.
• Identify and avoid the causes to reduce the chances of sleep paralysis. If you experience paralysis every time you work overtime, try to avoid overtime.
• Take deep breaths, as deep breaths will supply more oxygen to the brain and will wake you up.
• When you experience the sleep paralysis, try to tell your partner with low noise. Be sure that your partner identifies and gets you out of the paralysis. If your partner fails to identify if you are experiencing the paralysis, don’t be disappointed.
• Diagnose with sleep study whether the cause of paralysis may be sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, proper treatment for it reduces the events of sleep paralysis.