Aswiny
Have you ever experienced the inability to move, speak or feel trapped in your dreams? This experience arises when a person’s body and mind are misaligned at the brink of falling asleep or awakening, well this disorder is known as sleep paralysis. A person may face either visual, audio or sensory hallucinations which can have an immense impact on their mental well-being. Sleep paralysis can be caused by many factors such as, insomnia, interrupted sleeping patterns, narcolepsy or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sixth form can be a very challenging time due to academic stress and pressure; therefore, this article will give insights into managing stress and regulating our sleeping patterns to better our wellness.
What is sleep paralysis and how does it impact the human body?
The phenomenon known as sleep paralysis occurs when an individual gains consciousness during REM (rapid eye movement) whilst asleep. Muscles remain immobilised despite increased dynamics in the brain preventing people from acting out their dreams by relaxing their muscles. Sleep paralysis is often associated with environmental changes and can involve sleep-related hallucinations and multisensory intruders. What can these intruders be? Well as terrorising as it can sound, many people may experience this as the so-called, ‘ sleep paralysis demon’; a dark human-like figure suffocating you, making you feel immobile and unable to react or move causing severe anxiety, stress and depression in many people.
Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) occurs over a longer duration, resulting in multiple episodes of sleep paralysis of the body, thus caused by psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression and certain antidepressant medications such as sertraline. When taking antidepressants, one should be aware of the influence and impact drugs can have on the body.
What can trigger sleep paralysis?
- Insomnia
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Irregular sleeping patterns
- Mental conditions
- Substance abuse: Heroin, cocaine, alcohol and caffeine.
Strategies to manage sleep paralysis :
- Bodily movement: Small bodily movements such as wriggling your toes during sleep paralysis can help you regain consciousness.
- Sleep: At least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day.
- Exercise: Try to follow an exercise routine in the morning and avoid 4 hours just before sleep.
- Stress: Incorporate meditation, yoga, and talking to friends and family.
- Technology: Try not to use technology 30 – 60 minutes before bed.
Sleep paralysis can be a very challenging disorder which may affect your mental well-being, daily tasks and can cause you immense stress, anxiety and depression. You must consult with a healthcare professional and seek help from your GP who can refer you to a specialist if needed.
Sleep paralysis disorder can impact anyone’s life and can alter one’s lifestyle, it is vital to understand the lying mechanism behind sleep paralysis to prevent or maintain the disorder. By incorporating strategies to maintain sleep paralysis’, you can reduce the chance of getting this disorder. Although it can be very frightening and scary there are many diverse approaches to battle this disorder, so do not lose hope.
click on this link and read up on Billie Eilish’s experience of sleep paralysis!
Here are the links to some more celebrities who deal with sleep paralysis :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39293139
https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/celebritydiagnosis/84266
Love this topic! I Have this and the causes add up. Might have to try the prevention methods to manage it.
oh no! Sleep paralysis can be very challenging and frightening, I am happy this article has helped you in some way.
Very insightful!