Sertraline-Induced Sleep Paralysis: A Case Report.
Maninder Sohi, Lakshit Jain, Michael Ang-Rabanes, Raja Mogallapu
Cureus November 1, 2023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49014 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Young patient with major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Sertraline |
| Topics | Depression Serotonin |
| Keywords | Parasomnias Rem sleep Sleep paralysis Ssris |
| Key findings | Sertraline, an SSRI, was associated with the onset of distressing sleep paralysis in a patient with MDD, which resolved upon discontinuation. |
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with both insomnia and hypersomnia, but it predominantly decreases sleep continuity and leads to a decrease in rapid eye movement (REM) latency, an increase in REM sleep duration, and an increase in REM density. Some of these changes persist even when MDD is treated and can be associated with a recurrence of MDD. Antidepressants can potentially complicate the relationship between REM sleep and depression, as a majority of patients report improved sleep when prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but some case reports mention that SSRIs have been associated with REM inhibition, resulting in decreased REM sleep. We present a case report of a young patient with MDD who started experiencing multiple episodes of distressing sleep paralysis after he started taking sertraline and resolved as he was tapered off the medication. Through references from the literature indicating a potential link between parasomnias and SSRIs, we were able to discuss that SSRIs can potentially lead to isolated sleep paralysis and should be considered as an uncommon yet distressing side effect although not listed in the package insert. Isolated sleep paralysis has been defined in the literature as the inability to perform voluntary movements of the trunk and all limbs for a period of seconds to minutes at the beginning of sleep or upon waking up. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of SSRIs on sleep and practice guidelines should be clarified in regard to their role.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasting Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of (??)Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (???Ecstasy???) in Recreational Users Persons who ingested large doses of MDMA | 1991 | Case study | n = 2 |
| Striatal serotonin is depleted in brain of a human MDMA (Ecstasy) user Chronic MDMA user | 2000 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Death following ingestion of MDMA (ecstasy) and moclobemide People who died after ingesting moclobemide and MDMA | 2003 | Case series | n = 4 |
| Ecstasy Intoxication: An Overlap Between Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome A 19-year-old woman and 15 other cases reported in the literature | 1996 | Case report and literature review | n = 16 |
| Recurrent seizures and serotonin syndrome following "2C-I" ingestion. 19-year-old male who insufflated 2C-I | 2013 | Case report | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Sleep Paralysis Among Higher Education Students: A Possible Role of Antidepressant and Recreational Stimulant Use. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) October 15, 2025
- Sleep Paralysis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, and Treatment Strategies. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience August 25, 2025
- Overcoming Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis: A Case Report of Integrative Management With Yoga, Meditation, and Vitamin D3 Supplementation. Cureus December 30, 2024
- Locked in Sleep, a personal experience World Family Medicine Journal/Middle East Journal of Family Medicine 2024