Psychological Determinants of Sleep Paralysis: A Contemporary Review of Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research February 15, 2026 R Sruthi, A Seethalakshmi
Sleep paralysis is a distressing condition where people are temporarily unable to move during transitions between sleep and wakefulness, often accompanied by intense fear and hallucinations. This review of recent literature shows that anxiety is strongly linked to more frequent episodes, greater fear, and sleep-related distress. Chronic stress disrupts sleep and increases vulnerability to these episodes. Trauma exposure, especially early-life or unresolved trauma, is consistently associated with more severe experiences, including vivid hallucinations and prolonged paralysis. When anxiety, stress, and trauma occur together, they produce a cumulative effect leading to greater episode severity and recurrence. These findings support a biopsychosocial model and highlight the need for psychological and trauma-informed approaches in treatment.