According to WebMD, “sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious,
but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of
wakefulness and sleep.”

People can experience a number of strange phenomena during their
lifetime, but sleep paralysis is one of the strangest. This feeling of
being unable to move while being conscious and aware of your
surroundings is rather frightening.


IF YOU’VE EVER WOKEN UP AT NIGHT UNABLE TO
MOVE, HERE’S WHAT IT MEANS…

Sleep paralysis often triggers a feeling of terror as the person going
through the phenomenon doesn’t have control over their body. In fact,
the most frightening thing is the fact that you remain conscious of
everything around you but can’t move any part of your body.

Luckily, this common, yet strange phenomenon is actually harmless. It
takes place during one of these two stages – hypnagogic (before falling
asleep) and hypnopompic (during REM sleep).

The thing is, while we are falling asleep, the body enters a deep state
of relaxation, while the mind becomes less conscious of its
surroundings. In hypnagogic sleep paralysis, the mind remains conscious
while the body enters an involuntary state of relaxation. It’s then that a
person realizes their inability to move in spite of their efforts, which
often triggers feelings of panic.

On the other hand, our muscles are paralyzed during REM (rapid eye
movement) sleep so that we don’t act out our dreams. In case of
hypnopompic sleep paralysis, some part of the brain wakes sooner than
the part of the brain accountable for REM paralysis. This results in
partial wakefulness without voluntary control over muscles.


WHO DOES THIS HAPPEN TO?

While some people only experience sleep paralysis once or twice in
their lifetime, others go through this phenomenon quite often, sometimes
as often as a few times a week. According to a study conducted by
Penn State University, nearly 8% of the population experiences
recurrent sleep paralysis. The study also found that people with mental
disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are more inclined to
recurrent episodes of sleep paralysis.

Other risk groups include people suffering from sleep apnea, people on
certain medications, as well as those with an underlying sleep condition.


As stated by WebMD, the most common risk factors include:

– Sleep deficiency

– Frequent changes in sleep schedule

– Mental conditions, such as stress or bipolar disorder

– Sleeping on the back

– Sleep issues including narcolepsy or leg cramps during sleep

– Certain types of medication, such as those with ADHD

– Substance abuse


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

As we already mentioned, sleep paralysis normally occurs in the initial
stages of falling asleep, as well as after the REM stage. In almost all
cases, the symptoms are the same – inability to move or speak for a
period of a few seconds to a few minutes.

Sleep paralysis is not harmful per sei, but it may be a symptom of an
underlying cause that requires treatment. You can even get a referral to
a sleep specialist if this condition continues or worsens.


WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS

Sleep paralysis is a normal sleep phenomenon. However, the fact that it
can be triggered by other underlying conditions, sometimes requires a
suitable treatment. The most common treatments include:

– Designing a specific sleeping schedule

– Starting an anti-depressant therapy

– Referral to a mental health professional

– Referral to a sleep specialist

– Treatment of any underlying sleep disorder

– Sleeping pills

Sometimes even the slightest lifestyle changes such as getting enough
sleep and reducing the amount of stress can prevent the occurrence of
sleep paralysis.

Even health experts recommend that those with occasional episodes of
sleep paralysis should first consider changing their sleeping habits, as
sleep deprivation significantly increases the risk of this phenomenon.
Cutting down or cutting out alcohol/drugs, nicotine and caffeine is also
highly recommended. Electronic devices should also be kept outside the
bedroom in order to improve sleep quality.

If an episode of sleep paralysis still occurs, remember to stay calm as
it will pass on their own.



Cc: lalasticlala

Wow... It has happened to me a couple of times!

This happened to me a lot of time in my teenage years.

my people say na witchcraft attack be dat o.... oyibo una don come now.

Likei:
my people say na witchcraft attack be dat o.... oyibo una don come now.

Exactly, they'll blame that poor old woman in the village who has totally nothing to do with it. Her only crime being that she was blessed with long life

Nigerians go say "dem dey Press you"...

Lol

This happened to me twice and i was like am i abt to die? was so scared mehn.[url]This happened to me twice and i was like am i abt to die? was so scared mehn.[/url]This happened to me twice and i was like am i abt to die? was so scared mehn.

It happens to me quite often; at least once every week. But I made an observation: once it starts, usually I can still control my toes and my eyeballs. So, whenever i shake my toes, it always stops. This technique works for me all the time.

I used to believe that it is spiritual but now I don't see it as such again.

Cooleasy:
It happens to me quite often; at least once every week. But I made an observation: once it starts, usually I can still control my toes and my eyeballs. So, whenever i shake my toes, it always stops. This technique works for me all the time.

I used to believe that it is spiritual but now I don't see it as such again.

Good to Know

Mods.. Help move this to FP