What do we know about sleep paralysis?
Current Problems of Psychiatry September 1, 2018 Paulina Wróbel-knybel, M. Flis, R. Dubiel et al.
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition involving a feeling of paralysis with inhibited consciousness, often accompanied by hallucinations, somatic complaints, and intense anxiety. Its pathophysiology is not fully understood but is thought to result from a dysfunctional overlap of REM sleep and wakefulness. SP occurs in healthy people but is more frequent in those with mental and somatic disorders. The lifetime prevalence in the general population is 7.6%. The disorder has been described since antiquity, with cultural interpretations varying widely. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy.