Sleep Paralysis: An Overlooked Phenomenon
Ambreen Kalam, Fazal Ameen Habib
Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College February 24, 2025 DOI: 10.51985/jbumdc2018113 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review of 35 empirical studies (N=36,533 subjects) found that 7.6% of the general population experienced at least one sleep paralysis episode over their lifetime, with higher rates in students (28.3%) and psychiatric patients (31.9%). Sleep paralysis is an inability to move at sleep onset or upon awakening, often accompanied by hallucinations. It can be isolated, familial, or part of narcolepsy. Prevalence estimates range from 1.7% to 40% in the general population, peaking in the thirties. Associated factors include PTSD, narcolepsy, panic attacks, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and stress.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36,533 |
| Population | General population, students, psychiatric patients |
| Key finding | 7.6% of the general population experienced at least one sleep paralysis episode over their lifetime, with higher rates in students (28.3%) and psychiatric patients (31.9%). |
Abstract
Dear Sir, ‘There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep’ Homer, the Odyssey. A recent systemic review of an aggregated data from 35 empirical studies (N=36,533 subjects) found that 7.6% of the general population experienced at least one Sleep paralysis episode over the course of their life. Higher lifetime prevalence rates were found in students (28.3%) and psychiatric patients (31.9%)1. Sleep paralysis is a commonly attributed state characterized by the inability to move either at the onset of sleep or upon awakening accompanied by hypnagogic experiences which are visual, auditory and sensory hallucinations2. It can occur as an isolated, familial or tetrad of narcolepsy. If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it is called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, its called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis has been estimated to effect approximately 1.7% to 40% of general population with victims predominantly students3. It typically peaks at the thirties and appears to be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), narcolepsy and panic attacks. Other major contributing factors include sleep deprivation, fatigue and stress. Alarming symptoms of Sleep Paralysis include feeling paralyzed, hear deafening buzzing sounds, feel electrical sensations shooting throughout the body.