The Transitory Yet Gripping Sleep Paralysis

From time to time, a person may experience that gripping sensation overcoming the whole body while sleeping. It can be a terrifying experience and a lot of superstitions ranging from the strange to the supernatural have been associated with it. In medical terms, however, such condition is called sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis usually occurs either before an individual falls asleep or upon first waking up. When beset by this condition, the individual may be in a state of temporary paralysis which can last from seconds to a few minutes. When sleep paralysis happens, the individual becomes unable to move or speak although they desperately struggle to do so.

During this binding episode, others may feel the urge to shout as the experience is akin to a horrendous nightmare. This condition can be attributed to several factors. On the lighter side, it may be triggered by stress or irregular sleeping patterns. It may be sensible to take measures to alleviate stress or to correct sleeping habit irregularities in order to address the problem. Sleeping in certain positions may likewise cause sleep paralysis and it may be best to seek a professional’s opinion regarding this matter in order to prevent the recurrence of the episode. An individual may be experiencing life changes causing some psychological or emotional disruptions and this may also be a factor in the manifestation of the condition.

Experts however cite that sleep paralysis may be an indication of a post-synaptic inhibition of the brain’s motor neurons. Sleep paralysis may also be triggered by low levels of melatonin as well as the medical condition called narcolepsy. The frequency of sleep paralysis episodes may be unpredictable but as much as possible, factors and causes that are within the individual’s control must be managed so as to prevent the recurrence of sleep paralysis. It is more likely that the episode would happen upon waking up. Episodes happen more frequently under this circumstance rather than prior to falling asleep. Although a sleep paralysis episode is transitory lasting only a few minutes at most, those who experience it have the perception that it has a longer duration as the sensation is unexplainably gripping and petrifying even leaving the individual feeling panicky and nervous afterwards.

Much more so, the experience of sleep paralysis may trigger anxiety in the individual out of the fear that the episode may happen again. Treatment of sleep paralysis solely lies in determining its cause. If it be stress, then the individual must take time to relax and find relief from whatever stressors that may be besetting them. Prior to sleeping, one must calm themselves and not to sleep with a muddled psyche. Irregular sleeping patterns must likewise be dealt with by establishing a healthy sleeping routine so as to give the brain a healthy conditioning. In almost all cases, sleep paralysis is not detrimental although it is certainly an unpleasant experience.

The only possible consequence that sleep paralysis may bring is a slight trauma that may trigger sleep problems borne out of worry and anxiety that future episodes of sleep paralysis might occur again.