Sleep Paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

What is Sleep Paralysis?

If you have ever been in a state of sleep yet felt awake, then you might have experienced an episode of sleep paralysis. When sleep paralysis occurs, individuals may have hypnopompic or hypnagogic hallucinations during episodes, which can be sensory, aural, or visual. Hence, when you have sleep paralysis, you are unable to speak or move as you are waking up or falling asleep. Although it can be frightening, it's completely safe and most individuals only have it once or twice in their lifetime.

Symptoms of sleep paralysis include the following:

• You feel as though someone is in your room.
• You feel as though you are awake but are unable to talk, move, or open your eyes.
• You feel as though something is forcing you down. 
• You feel scared.

Sleep paralysis may persist for a few seconds and may last up to several minutes.

Causes of Sleep Paralysis

When you can't move your muscles as you're waking up or dozing off, you are experiencing an episode of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis has you in sleep mode with your brain still working.

Although the causes of sleep paralysis are unclear, they include the following:

• Jet lag
• Change in sleeping schedules
• Narcolepsy
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• A family history of sleep paralysis

Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis

The signs and symptoms of sleep paralysis include the following:

• Feeling as though your limbs are paralyzed
• Inability to speak
• Feeling of suffocation
• Hallucinations
• Fear
• Panic
• Helplessness
• Tightness in the throat
• Sleepiness throughout the day, which may indicate narcolepsy

When to see a doctor for Sleep Paralysis?

You probably have isolated recurring sleep paralysis if you occasionally find yourself unable to move or speak for a few seconds or minutes when falling asleep or waking up. Treatment for this condition is frequently not necessary.

However, if you are anxious about your symptoms, consider consulting your doctor. Also, if your symptoms keep you up at night and cause exhaustion during the day, it might be a good idea to consult with your doctor.