Prevalence and Clinical Picture of Sleep Paralysis in a Polish Student Sample.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health May 18, 2020 Paulina Wróbel-knybel, Hanna Karakuła-juchnowicz, Michał Flis et al.
Sleep paralysis affects about 7.6% of the general population, but among Polish university students in Lublin the rate is 32%, higher than the 28.3% average for other student populations. Somatic symptoms dominate: 94% of those reporting sleep paralysis experienced physical sensations, most commonly rapid heartbeat (76%); 93% reported fear, especially fear of death (46%); and 66% had hallucinations, mostly visual (37%). More frequent episodes were linked to shorter sleep and sleeping on the back. Severity of physical symptoms correlated with lifestyle factors and anxiety. A substantial number of students experience recurrent sleep paralysis accompanied by fear and physical distress.