Sleep paralysis: What causes it, and how do i get rid of it?

Question

I get sleep paralysis at least 4 times a week, and have been experiencing it for the past 4years. It is beginning to concern me because sometimes i find myself "paralyzed" while somehow facing down in my pillow. it feels as im about to suffocate. each time i snap out of it right before the last minute.

anyone have similar experiences?? what causes this, and how do i get rid of it???

Answer 1

Is it harmful?

Sleep paralysis is most often associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition in which the person has uncontrollable naps. However, there are many people who experience sleep paralysis without having signs of narcolepsy. Sometimes it runs in families. There is no known explanation why some people experience this paralysis. It is not harmful, although most people report feeling very afraid because they do not know what is happening, and within minutes they gradually or abruptly are able to move again; the episode is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body.

In some cases, when hypnogogic hallucinations are present, people feel that someone is in the room with them, some experience the feeling that someone or something is sitting on their chest and they feel impending death and suffocation. That has been called the “Hag Phenomena” and has been happening to people over the centuries. These things cause people much anxiety and terror, but there is no physical harm.

What else can you tell me about sleep paralysis?


Some people with disrupted sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disturbances experience sleep paralysis
A study found that 35% of subjects with isolated sleep paralysis also reported a history of wake panic attacks unrelated to the experience of paralysis
Sixteen percent of these persons with isolated sleep paralysis met the criteria for panic disorder
How can I stop the sleep paralysis?

In severe cases, where episodes take place at least once a week for 6 months, medication may be used.

You may be able to minimize the episodes by following good sleep hygiene:


getting enough sleep
reduce stress
exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
keep a regular sleep schedule

Answer 2

I don't know how to get rid of it, but I know what causes it. Your body naturally causes paralysis during the sleep cycle, as it prevents you from getting hurt, especially while dreaming. When people wake up and are still paralyzed, it's because your body hasn't gone through the normal sequence it's suppose to do before waking up. In other words, there's a phase when you wake up when your suppose to gain back muscle control to your body, but your body is skipping that step for some reason.

I understand it happens more often when people are sleep deprived or are somehow not getting enough sleep, but I don't know much more of how to stop it.

Answer 3

That's a very common experience, and you might try simple remedies like not sleeping on your stomach. Don't indulge in sleep-enhancing substances like Lunesta. If you still experience such episodes, speak to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea. Hypnopompic and hypnogogic hallucinations (waking dreams) are also surprisingly common, but your condition sounds more like sleep apnea. As for the latter two - basically you learn to recognize them for what they are and simply refuse to be upset over them - they're harmless. They are the sort of thing that has led some folks to believe they're victims of alien abduction whilst asleep - they actually seem to see little green men or tall grey creatures that look sorta like men, and experience all sorts of indignities performed upon them by these fantasies of their groggy brains. Whatever - that does not really matter. Go talk to your doctor; if you're suffering sleep apnea there is help available.

Answer 4

This experience has been documented in medical literature so it has been around for a long time. It is the gap between being conscious and waking up. Most people have only a few miliseconds to a full second, whereas yours is probably a full 20 seconds. It is enough to scare you. Talk to your doctor and get yourself into a sleep clinic for sleep disorders.
Most people wake up from these episodes with something restricting their breathing. such as a blanket, a piece of clothing, or a toy or pillow.
To wake yourself up from this semi dream state, try wiggling a toe, or finger. or put the alarm clock on to a blaring sound around the times it happens.