What is Sleep Paralysis?
Many sleep researchers believe that sleep paralysis may be a sign that someone is not adequately moving through the stages of sleep. It is rarely connected to a psychological problem or mental illness. For hundreds of years, people have described sleep paralysis as experiencing some evil force or entity; in fact, almost every culture has reported this sleep phenomenon and the belief that someone is being attacked by some shadowy, malevolent specter. Although it may seem that a supernatural force is attacking you during this stage of sleep, is that really the case? Most likely not as sleep paralysis is deemed a physical problem. It is a fairly common ailment lacking paranormal origin.
Simply put, sleep paralysis is a feeling of being awake but unable to move your body. The dreamer is typically not aware that he or she is dreaming but instead thinks he or she is awake in the bed. It occurs during the hynagogic or hypnopompic states of sleep when a person is transitioning between being awake and slumbering. During this time, you may be unable to move your body for several seconds or even up to a minute. Other symptoms may include a sense of pressure, a feeling of choking and/or seeing a presence standing over you. You may not be able to speak; however, you are fully aware of what's happening. During an episode, a person may also experience the sensation of falling, floating, flying or leaving their body (OBE). Sleep paralysis will usually end on its own terms or when someone touches you or you make a conscious effort to move. Sleep paralysis may accompany other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, disturbed night sleep, sleeping during the day, etc. Sleep paralysis may also be caused by certain medications, substance abuse, medical condition(s) and/or mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Sleep deprivation or times of intense physical and emotional stress may trigger an episode.
It is very common to feel intense emotions of anxiety and fear during a sleep paralysis episode. Many people often hallucinate during an attack and this is when they encounter shadowy figures or apparitional sightings. People may hear, see and feel things that are not really there or think that another person (stranger) is in the same room. Reality and fantasy mesh together during an episode with lucid dreaming potentially intensifying. Some people will mistake sleep paralysis for alien abductions as the symptoms of sleep paralysis often mimic abductee reports. It often affects people in their 20s or 30s. It is recommended to get at least six hours of sleep, but preferably eight to ten hours. If you have recurrent episodes, talk to your physician as he or she may refer you to a sleep study specialist.
Sleep paralysis typically occurs at one of two times:
1. Hypnagogia - or when you are falling asleep. This is also called "predormital sleep paralysis."
2. Hypnopompic - or when you are waking up. This is also called "postdormital sleep paralysis."
Simply put, sleep paralysis is a feeling of being awake but unable to move your body. The dreamer is typically not aware that he or she is dreaming but instead thinks he or she is awake in the bed. It occurs during the hynagogic or hypnopompic states of sleep when a person is transitioning between being awake and slumbering. During this time, you may be unable to move your body for several seconds or even up to a minute. Other symptoms may include a sense of pressure, a feeling of choking and/or seeing a presence standing over you. You may not be able to speak; however, you are fully aware of what's happening. During an episode, a person may also experience the sensation of falling, floating, flying or leaving their body (OBE). Sleep paralysis will usually end on its own terms or when someone touches you or you make a conscious effort to move. Sleep paralysis may accompany other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, disturbed night sleep, sleeping during the day, etc. Sleep paralysis may also be caused by certain medications, substance abuse, medical condition(s) and/or mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Sleep deprivation or times of intense physical and emotional stress may trigger an episode.
It is very common to feel intense emotions of anxiety and fear during a sleep paralysis episode. Many people often hallucinate during an attack and this is when they encounter shadowy figures or apparitional sightings. People may hear, see and feel things that are not really there or think that another person (stranger) is in the same room. Reality and fantasy mesh together during an episode with lucid dreaming potentially intensifying. Some people will mistake sleep paralysis for alien abductions as the symptoms of sleep paralysis often mimic abductee reports. It often affects people in their 20s or 30s. It is recommended to get at least six hours of sleep, but preferably eight to ten hours. If you have recurrent episodes, talk to your physician as he or she may refer you to a sleep study specialist.
Sleep paralysis typically occurs at one of two times:
1. Hypnagogia - or when you are falling asleep. This is also called "predormital sleep paralysis."
2. Hypnopompic - or when you are waking up. This is also called "postdormital sleep paralysis."
Stages of Sleep
Sleep is a fundamental human need; without it, we would not be able to effectively function. When we sleep, we cycle through phases of NON-REM and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During the REM phases, we are dreaming as our eyes move about in different directions. NON-REM comes first followed by a shorter duration of REM; then the cycle repeats itself. Our body's organ systems repair and rejuvenate during deeper levels of NON-REM.
REM sleep happens around 90 minutes after you fall asleep. The first phase may last around 10 minutes with each additional REM phase lasting longer with the final episode lasting 60 minutes. Heart rate, breathing and brain activity are more active in this state.
There are three main phases of NON-REM sleep, with each stage lasting around 5 to 15 minutes:
1. Your eyes are closed and it may be easy for you to arouse - phase lasts around 5 to 15 minutes.
2. You are in a lighter stage of sleep where your heart rate and breathing slow down; temperature drops; your body is preparing for a deeper level of sleep.
3. You are in a deeper sleep state. It is harder to wake someone up during this phase and if you do, he or she will feel quite loopy and disoriented.
REM sleep happens around 90 minutes after you fall asleep. The first phase may last around 10 minutes with each additional REM phase lasting longer with the final episode lasting 60 minutes. Heart rate, breathing and brain activity are more active in this state.
There are three main phases of NON-REM sleep, with each stage lasting around 5 to 15 minutes:
1. Your eyes are closed and it may be easy for you to arouse - phase lasts around 5 to 15 minutes.
2. You are in a lighter stage of sleep where your heart rate and breathing slow down; temperature drops; your body is preparing for a deeper level of sleep.
3. You are in a deeper sleep state. It is harder to wake someone up during this phase and if you do, he or she will feel quite loopy and disoriented.
Treatment for Sleep Paralysis
Most people do not need to be medically treated for sleep paralysis. However, if this disorder is recurrent or affecting your every-day life, then treatment may be warranted. Some treatments include:
1. Improving overall sleep habits; getting the recommended amount of sleep.
2. Certain antidepressant medications to help regulate sleep cycles.
3. Mental health problem treatment
4. Treating other co-existing sleep disorders
5. Incorporating a calming regimen before nightly sleep
1. Improving overall sleep habits; getting the recommended amount of sleep.
2. Certain antidepressant medications to help regulate sleep cycles.
3. Mental health problem treatment
4. Treating other co-existing sleep disorders
5. Incorporating a calming regimen before nightly sleep
|
San Diego Paranormal Research Society. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2009 - 2021
All content within this site is the property of SDPRS, unless otherwise specified, and not to be used or reproduced without express written permission.
|
e-mail
nicolepisd@gmail.com sdprsali@gmail.com @authornicolestrickland |
The team is currently not accepting new members at this time.
|
To request an investigation, please fill out the "investigation request" form on the website.
|
Proudly powered by Weebly