Sleeping Disorders

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body either shortly before falling asleep or shortly after waking up.  If the paralysis occurs shortly after waking up, which is the most common form of sleep paralysis, then this is known as Hypnopompic Paralysis.  If the paralysis occurs shortly before falling asleep, which is the least common form of sleep paralysis, then this is known as Hypnagogic Paralysis.
In addition, the state of paralysis is usually accompanied by Hypnagogic Hallucinations.
Many scientists believe that many supposed occurrences of alien abduction, out-of-body travel (such as astral traveling), and other seemingly paranormal events (such as religious and demonic visions) are actually due to misinterpreting the sensory effects of Sleep Paralysis.
Physiologically, Sleep Paralysis is closely related to the normal paralysis that occurs during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
Sleep Paralysis occurs when the brain is awakened from a REM state into what is essentially a normal, fully awake state, but the bodily paralysis is still in effect.  This causes the person to be fully aware, but unable to move.
Sleep Paralysis sufferer's often believe the experience to simply be a dream, and this is a reason why there are so many dream recountings which describe the person lying frozen and unable to move.  The hallucinatory element to Sleep Paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as simply a dream, as one might see completely fanciful objects in the room around them along with the normal objects found there.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of Sleep Paralysis are partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis while conscious during the hypnopompic or hypnagogic states.  In other words, Sleep Paralysis is the sense of being aware that one is unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
Sleep Paralysis is often accompanied by Hypnagogic Hallucinations.  These hallucinations can be auditory, tactile, and/or visual.
Each Sleep Paralysis episode may persist anywhere from a few seconds to minutes before the person is able to either return to REM sleep or to become fully awake.
However, the sense of how much time has gone by is often distorted during Sleep Paralysis episodes. People who are fortunate enough to be facing a clock while having an episode tend to be surprised to see how little time has gone by during an episode that seems to last such a long time.

Causes

Little is known about the physiology of Sleep Paralysis.
However, some research suggests that Sleep Paralysis may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain.  In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles.
There is evidence that a significant proportion of those who suffer from Sleep Paralysis also suffer from Narcolepsy (see section 4.7 Narcolepsy above).
Various research also suggests that most people will experience Sleep Paralysis at least once in their lives.
Research indicates that the following factors may increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations:
- Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards).
- Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation.
- Increased stress levels.
- Sudden environmental and/or lifestyle changes.
- A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode.

Diagnosis

A Polysomnogram is a device that continuously records the brain waves and a number of other nerve and muscle functions during nighttime sleep, the results of which can be used to detect and distinguish between a range of possible sleep disorders.
When a polysomnograph test is performed, then at least one of the following symptoms will be evident in a Sleep Paralysis sufferer:
- Skeletal muscle tone suppression,
- REM sleep at sleep onset, or,
- Dissociated REM sleep.
and this will allow the confirmation or otherwise of a diagnosis for Sleep Paralysis.

Complications / Issues

Many scientists believe that many supposed occurrences of alien abduction, out-of-body travel (such as astral traveling), and other seemingly paranormal events (such as religious and demonic visions) are actually due to misinterpreting the sensory effects of Sleep Paralysis.
As a result, one of the main issues of Sleep Paralysis occurs when the sufferer believes that their dreams and hallucinations are real and significant.  This may cause them to undertake strange behavior or quests, and also influence those around them into becoming believers.  Such activity could cause a lot of disruption and waste a lot of people's time.

Treatment

In severe cases, where Sleep Paralysis episodes occur at least once a week for 6 months, various medications may be used.
However, most Sleep Paralysis sufferers can reduce their episodes by following good sleep hygiene practices:
- exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime),
- ensure that they get enough sleep,
- keep a regular sleep diary, and,
- reducing stress levels in their lives.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the onset of the symptoms and complications of Sleep Paralysis is for the sufferer to work with their doctor to discover the cause for their disorder, so that the causes can be treated, removed, or reduced.
Research indicates that the following factors may increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations:
- Sleeping in a supine position (facing upwards).
- Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation.
- Increased stress levels.
- Sudden environmental and/or lifestyle changes.
- A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode.
Reducing or eliminating these factors from your life should reduce the symptoms of Sleep Paralysis.

Cultural References

Many scientists believe that many supposed occurrences of alien abduction, out-of-body travel (such as astral traveling), and other seemingly paranormal events (such as religious and demonic visions) are actually due to misinterpreting the sensory effects of Sleep Paralysis.
Other, less scientifically rigorous, people try to argue that Sleep Paralysis might be the point of separation of the "dream body" from the physical body and out-of-body travel then begins.
Sleep Paralysis has some very interesting cultural references, which are listed briefly below:
· In medieval times of Europe, attacks of sufferers of Sleep Paralysis may have given rise to the belief in mara, incubi, succubi, other demons and witchcraft.
· In the Southern United States, people have described Sleep Paralysis as "The witch riding your back".
· In Newfoundland, Sleep Paralysis is described as a visit from the "old hag".
· In India, one of the signs of approaching enlightenment is "witnessing sleep", that is being seemingly lucid during sleep, which is a state that occurs with Sleep Paralysis.  It was also believed that rakshasas (Hindu demons) may assail those making strides towards their own enlightenment and the good of all mankind.  Another thought is that a female entity, called Mohini (a demoness from the underworld), comes into the night-time world by means of ascending through a deep well.  She is enchantingly beautiful, yet simultaneously horrific, unearthly, and deadly.  Like her British Isles counterparts, she also seeks a male lover and human genetic material, presumably for the purpose of bearing a hybrid demon/human child.
· In Japan, Sleep Paralysis is referred to as kanashibari, which literally means "bound or fastened in metal".
· In Mexico, Sleep Paralysis is described as subida del muerto (the dead getting on top)
· In Turkish, Sleep Paralysis is described as karabasan (black buster) and in Hazaragi, as Syahi Zer Kado (pressing ink).
· In Korea, Sleep Paralysis is referred to as Gawinullim, literally meaning "To be pressed by spirits or demons".
· In Indonesia, Javanese peoples called Sleep Paralysis "nindih" (To be seated upon).
· In Philippines, Sleep Paralysis is often associated with Bangungot.
· In Vietnam, Sleep Paralysis is known as "ma đè", meaning a ghost or spirit lying on top of or pressing down on the person.
· In the West Indies, Sleep Paralysis is known as being "ridden by a duppy".
· The common belief in China is that a spirit or ghost is sitting or lying on top of the individual while they were sleeping, causing the sleep paralysis.  This is thought to be a minor body possession by forces from the dead, and usually doesn't cause any harm to the victim.
· In Russia, symptoms reminiscent of Sleep Paralysis were attributed to the anger of domovoi, the home spirit, punishing people for bad husband-ship or betrayal.

Sleepwalking (Noctambulism or Somnambulism)