The brain typically aids the leg and arm muscles to relay when waking up or falling asleep. In the case of sleep paralysis, awareness is gained, but ability for movement is not.
Sleep Paralysis
One who experiences sleep paralysis may regain awareness but be unable to move. During an episode of sleep paralysis, one is aware of their surroundings but is unable to speak or move. However, eye movement and breathing are still possible. Several people may hallucinate or see or hear things that are not present. This could add to the fright of a sleep paralysis episode.
Episodes of sleep paralysis could last for a few minutes or even a few seconds. Isolated or rare cases could also affect individuals of different ages. It is more common when one experiences sleep deprivation linked to changes in sleeping schedule. When episodes are recurring, they become a symptom of narcolepsy, which is a condition involving unstable boundaries pertaining to sleeping and waking up.
Symptoms of sleep paralysis include an inability to speak, limb paralysis, hallucinations, a sense of suffocation, panic, fear, tightening around the throat, helplessness, and daytime sleepiness.
It has been concluded by researchers that in most instances, sleep paralysis simply signals that the body is not smoothly moving through the various stages of sleep. It is rarely connected to an underlying psychiatric condition.
What Causes Sleep Paralysis?
How or why sleep paralysis occurs remains unclear. However, researchers think that these episodes result from disturbances in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. During this stage, one is likely to have dreams. The brain stops limb muscles from moving in order to protect oneself from hurting oneself or acting dreams out. Sleep paralysis takes place when one regains awareness while coming out of or going into this REM stage.
There are various causes for sleep paralysis, including shift work, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep deprivation.
Episodes of sleep paralysis typically happen in two instances. If it takes place when one is trying to fall asleep, this sleep paralysis is known as predormital or hypnagogic sleep paralysis. If it happens when one wakes up, it is referred to as postdormital or hypnopompic sleep paralysis.
Sleep Paralysis Treatments and Remedies
In most cases, treatment for sleep paralysis may not be necessary. However, if one has underlying conditions, such as narcolepsy, treating these conditions could help, especially if one finds it hard to sleep well. Treatments may include taking prescribed antidepressant medications, boosting sleeping habits, treating sleep disorders, or treating mental health issues that could contribute to such episodes.
For those who experience sleep paralysis occasionally, it is recommended to ensure that one gets sufficient sleep, try out different sleeping positions, and try to ease stress, especially right before going to bed.
If episodes of sleep paralysis consistently stop a person from getting good sleep, it is advised to see a doctor.