Written by: Sonishma Basnet - 2022021, Grade X
Posted on: 01 October, 2020
Sleep paralysis is a state while asleep where a person is unable to move or use certain body parts. Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, one may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. Also, some may have various hallucinations of non-existence creatures trying to harm them. Sleep researchers conclude that, in most cases, sleep paralysis is simply a sign that your body is not moving smoothly through the stages of sleep.
Sleep paralysis is a common problem. Every four out of ten people have sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis may cause different other sleeping problems like narcolepsy, insomnia, etc. The causes of sleep paralysis may be, Lack of sleep, Sleep schedule that changes, mental conditions, Substance abuse, and drug addiction. Sleep paralysis is not a big problem and can be easily resolved. However, if left untreated it may cause other mental problems. To overcome this disorder, one should try to live a stress-free life, improving sleep habits, using antidepressant medication if it is prescribed to help regulate sleep cycles, treating any mental health problems that may contribute to sleep paralysis, treating any other sleep disorders: such as narcolepsy or leg cramps, etc.
(Sabrina Felson, MD, October 26, 2018, WebMD Medical Reference, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-paralysis)
