Sleep Paralysis
- erudite .
- Apr 28, 2022
- 2 min read
By Sanam Marjan
What is sleep paralysis?
It is the feeling of being conscious but unable to be mobile.
This usually occurs between the stages of wakefulness and sleep.
During these transitions, people experiencing this will not be able to move or speak. From a few seconds to a few minutes. Many people may also feel pressure above their throats.
Sleep paralysis may coexist with other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Which is caused by a problem with the brain’s ability to regulate sleep.
When does sleep paralysis occur?
If it occurs while you are falling asleep, the term is known as hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis.
If it occurs while waking up, it is known as hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis.
Hypnagogic Sleep Paralysis
When we fall asleep our body starts to ease. Making us become less aware of the surroundings. However if we become aware while falling asleep, we would notice how we can not move or speak.
Hypnopompic sleep paralysis
During sleep our body alternates between REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). One cycle of REM and NREM sleep lasts about 90 minutes. NREM sleep happens at the beginning of the sleep and takes up three fourths of our overall sleep time. During this cycle our body relaxes and at the end of it our sleep shifts to REM.
Where our eyes move quickly and dreams occur. Our body still remains relaxed but our muscles get turned off.’ If we become aware before the REM cycle has finished we would experience sleep paralysis.
Factors contributing to sleep paralysis
Sleep deprivation
Changes in sleep schedule
Psychological conditions such as bipolar disorder
Stress
Sleeping on back
Use of certain substances or medications
Improving sleeping habits and using antidepressant medication prescribed to help with the regulation of sleep cycle may reduce risks of sleep paralysis.
Sources
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