Sleep paralysis: A brief clinical review
Telangana Journal of Psychiatry January 1, 2019 Avinash De Sousa, Pragya Lodha
Sleep paralysis is a frightening event where a person awakens conscious but unable to move because the muscle paralysis of rapid eye movement sleep persists, often accompanied by vivid hallucinations. When it occurs without narcolepsy or other medical conditions, it is called isolated sleep paralysis. Although rare in clinical practice, the condition is underdetected due to its unusual nature and lack of training in medical residency and graduate education. This review examines prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and management, which includes both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. The authors note these treatments need clearer guidelines, more empirical support, and larger randomized controlled trials.