Paralyzed by the Unknown: Lived Experiences of Sleep Paralysis, the Role of Anxiety, and its Supernatural Interpretation

Sleep paralysis is more than a neurophysiological event; it is deeply shaped by culture, fear, and personal meaning-making. Interviews with 15 young adults aged 18–25 revealed six core themes: the embodied experience of paralysis, a perceived threatening presence, acute emotional distress, supernatural interpretations, cognitive meaning reconstruction, and psychological integration. Supernatural explanations were most common and strongly linked to fear and anxiety. However, psychoeducation and cognitive reframing helped participants reinterpret their experiences, reduce distress, and develop adaptive coping strategies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The present qualitative study aims to explore the lived experiences of sleep paralysis, a complex phenomenon which caters to physiological, psychological and cultural dimension in a human. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants to gather an insight on the role of anxiety and supernatural interpretations among young adults aged between 18-25 years. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning across narratives. The analysis unfolded 6 core themes: embodied paralysis experience, perceived threatening presence, acute emotional distress, supernatural meaning-making, cognitive meaning reconstruction, and psychological integration and adaptation. Overall findings not only showcase sleep paralysis as a neurophysiological but also depicts the state of a deep embodiment of emotional distress shaped by culture, interpretations of fear and meaning making processes. Supernatural explanation was the most common among other interventions. It held the most speculated connotation with fear and anxiety. However, psychoeducation and cognitive reframing enabled participants to reconstruct meaning, reduce distress, and develop adaptive coping strategies.