Sleep paralysis causes a temporary loss of muscle control and function, and it occurs in the moments immediately before or immediately after sleep, and it can also occur while you are trying to wake up, and sleep paralysis is one of the most common sleep disorders, with one reviewer estimating that 7 percent of people may experience it.
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Symptoms of sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis is not a medical emergency. Recognizing symptoms can provide peace of mind, and the most common feature of a sleep paralysis episode is the inability to move or speak. The seizure may last from a few seconds to about two minutes, and the patient may experience several other symptoms, including:
- Feeling like something is pushing him down.
- Feeling like someone or something is in the room.
- Feeling afraid.
- Hallucinations during, before or immediately after sleep.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Feels like he's going to die.
- Sweating.
- Muscle pain.
- Headaches.
- Paranoia.
- Loops usually end on their own or when someone else touches you or moves you.
- You may be aware of what's happening but still unable to move or speak during a seizure.
Causes of sleep paralysis
There is no single known cause of sleep paralysis. Instead, it is often seen as a complication of some other condition.
For example, people with narcolepsy disorder may often experience sleep paralysis.
Other underlying conditions such as mental health problems and sleep deprivation can play a role, such as medication use and substance abuse.
Sleep paralysis treatment
Sleep paralysis treatment is primarily aimed at addressing the underlying condition or problem that may be causing loss of muscle function in the first place; for example, doctors may prescribe antidepressants for people with sleep paralysis caused by certain mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder that may be able to prevent some episodes of sleep paralysis.