Gregory Stores

Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinosis

Behavioural Neurology January 1, 1998 Gregory Stores

Sleep paralysis, a common condition in the general population, can involve terrifying visual, auditory, and somatic hallucinations at sleep onset, along with a sense of evil presence. These dramatic auxiliary symptoms may mimic a psychotic state, causing diagnostic confusion. A case of a young man with severe bipolar disorder who experienced such episodes independently of his psychiatric condition is presented. Past misdiagnoses included nightmares and night terrors. After ruling out other sleep disorders and physical causes, a diagnosis of predormital isolated sleep paralysis was made and appropriate treatment recommended. Less common forms are part of narcolepsy or are familial. Breathing difficulty during sleep paralysis features prominently in folklore.