Sleep Paralysis
In the recent past, the irrational world has focused a great deal on sleeping paralysis.
Persons who experience sleep paralysis have also been discouraged from seeking treatment at
medical facilities due to the negative connotations associated with those who have the condition.
As a result, the majority of patients seek relief from other private sources like herbalists, spiritual
guides, and conventional priests. However, sleeping paralysis can be ruled out as a disorder
where it manifests out of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) in sleep. As an individual retires to sleep
or wakes up from sleep, the brain tends to aid the relaxation of muscles on the upper and lower
limbs; one can regain consciousness but lacks mobility. This condition is temporary and does not
indicate a significant medical issue. The disorder may be frightening but does not pose a major
concern as most people can experience it one to two times in a lifetime. Identifying the reason
for the symptom can assist one in evading episodes that may occur later.
The medical management of sleep disorders is developing into a more multidisciplinary
field with an enormous effect on the well-being of patients in both acuteand long-term settings,
with more than 50 million Americans suffering from sleep loss (Feriante and Araujo, 2021).
Sleep paralysis takes the shape of parasomnia that is resultant when atonia of Eye Rapid
Movement occurs after one falls asleep or when a person is waking up. One may encounter
hallucinations when experiencing sleep paralysis. Atonia is stated to be a form of pasmonia.
Johnson (2023) indicates that the gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, orexin, and serotonin
systems are among the major neurophysiological mechanisms that cause sleep paralysis. These
are abnormal tendencies when an individual is sleeping due to the relation with the Rapid Eye
Movement stage in sleep patterns. This is often prevalent at the onset of puberty and may
become intense from five years extending to early thirties, affecting close to 7.6% of the
population. Even though sleep paralysis is not detrimental to one;s life, it can lead to anxiety,
among other sleep disorders. Studies indicate that most sleeping disorders result from isolated
sleep paralysis ranging from 38% (Denis et al., 2018). Also, insomnia is a major cause of sleep
paralysis due to the challenge of falling asleep. Slowik et al. (2022) argue that mental health
instability and narcolepsy is also considered a significant cause of sleep paralysis since it is a
prolonged disorder that leads to abrupt sleep. With these correlations, it is unclear if they are
causal, and if so, regardless of whether sleep paralysis is the reason, influence ,or if the
connection is reciprocal.
Sleep paralysis can be experienced by some more regular sleepers and is strikingly
frequent and prevalent. Nonetheless, it is considered a relatively harmless disorder since it does
not occur frequently enough to aggravate severe health issues. Some individuals encounter
frequent or troubling occurrences, making sleep paralysis particularly distressing. Consequently,
persons may cultivate anxious thoughts regarding getting to bed, limiting sleep time, or causing
stress around bedtime, making it difficult to fall asleep. Insufficient sleep can result in
hypersomnia and other negative effects on an individual’s overall wellbeing. Continued
approaches to improve sleeping habits is common for sleep paralysis which tends to restructure
the negative feelings and thoughts that interfere with sleep. It is crucial to educate the patients
and the general populace about sleeping paralysis and the best way to manage the condition.
Aaliyah Thompson (5)
References
Johnson C. 2023 Jun 7. Sleep Paralysis: A Brief Overview of the Intersections of
Neurophysiology and Culture. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal.
[Accessed 2023 Oct 22]. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp-
rj.2023.180401
Denis D, French CC, Gregory AM. 2018 Apr 1. A systematic review of variables
associated with sleep paralysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews: 38:141-57. [Accessed
2023 Oct 22]. A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis -
ScienceDirect
Feriante J, Araujo JF. 2021 Feb 23. Physiology, REM Sleep. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30285349.
[Accessed 2023 Oct 22].
https://repository.escholarship.umassmed.edu/handle/20.500.14038/41778.
Olunu E, Kimo R, Onigbinde EO, Akpanobong MA, Enang IE, Osanakpo M, Monday
IT, Otohinoyi DA, Fakoya AO. 2018 Jul 8. Sleep paralysis, a medical condition
with a diverse cultural interpretation. International Journal of Applied and Basic
Medical Research. (3):137. [Accessed 2023 Oct 22]. Sleep Paralysis, a Medical
Condition with a Diverse Cultural Interpretation - PMC (nih.gov)
Slowik JM, Collen JF, Yow AG. 2022 Jun 21. Narcolepsy. InStatPearls [Internet].
StatPearls Publishing. [Accessed 2023 Oct 22]. Narcolepsy - StatPearls - NCBI
Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Hi Aaliyah, this was really interesting to read. Before reading I didn't know much about sleep paralysis or what causes it. Im wondering if there has been any links to medications that may cause sleep paralysis or increase the chances of it occurring. It seems like the worst thing about it is the anxiety it may give people which may result in sleep loss. I wonder if people who struggle with this anxiety are recommended melatonin or other sleeping medications.
ReplyDelete-Payton Carroll
That's such a good question, I'll actually go check to see which. This was really to research, Thanks for commenting!
DeleteHi Aaliyah! Sleep paralysis is something I have personally researched myself so many times as its such an interesting concept to me. I wonder what makes someone more prone to experiencing sleep paralysis, or if there is some genetic reason that it may be more prevalent in some than others. I found it very interesting that the brain is able to regain consciousness but not mobility through REM. Even though you stated this is harmless and absolves itself very quickly, is it even possible for it to last longer than it should? Is it more common for someone to have sleep paralysis when retiring to or waking up from sleep?
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, to answer your last question, I think its more common when trying to wake up but still in most cases, upon waking up or when falling asleep. The experience is conscious and can afterwards describe the full event in detail.
DeleteHi Aaliyah! This was an interesting read. I have heard a lot of sleep paralysis and I know many people who struggle with this occasionally. I have never done research myself on this but this post has sparked my interest in digging into what causes it and what makes it more likely to happen. I wonder what happens on a micro level in the brain that allows for it to regain consciousness during REM. Great read, good job!
ReplyDelete-Lyssa Cunha
thank you! that's a good observation. I found something that states that brain waves are similar to those during wakefulness, so maybe that helps to regain consciousness during REMS.
ReplyDeleteHi Aaliyah! Found your post interesting and informative to read. I've researched other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea for previous classes but never sleep paralysis. I know when it comes to sleep apnea, one main cause is the brain not sending the chemical signals needed to breathe. I do wonder how the brain affects individuals with sleep paralysis, like what's not working properly in the brain to cause sleep paralysis.
ReplyDelete