Sleep Paralysis, a Medical Condition with a Diverse Cultural Interpretation
Esther Olunu, Ruth Kimo, Esther Olufunmbi Onigbinde, M. Akpanobong, Inyene Ezekiel Enang, Mariam Osanakpo, Ifure Monday, D. Otohinoyi, A. Fakoya
International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research July 1, 2018 DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_19_18 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSleep paralysis (SP) is an inability to move during sleep onset or waking, occurring in healthy individuals or alongside psychiatric, familial, and sleep disorders. The review states that 8% of the general population suffers from SP, though this figure has been described inaccurately, and no standard definition or etiology exists. The authors aim to describe SP medically and examine how it is interpreted and managed across cultural groups, noting that cultural and ethnic disparities in identifying SP have led to varied management approaches.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Medicine |
| Key finding | The authors propose that cultural and ethnic differences in interpreting sleep paralysis have led to diverse management approaches, and they aim to provide a medical description of the condition. |
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a state associated with the inability to move that occurs when an individual is about sleeping or just waking. It could occur in healthy individuals as isolated SP. It has also been linked with other underlying psychiatry, familial, and sleep disorders. Statistics show that 8% of the general population suffers from SP. Although this value has been described inaccurately, there is no standard definition or etiology to diagnose SP. There are several speculations describing SP in the current literature. These descriptions can be viewed as either cultural-based or medical-based. The disparity among cultural or ethnic groups and medical professionals in identifying SP has led to the various approaches to managing the condition. This review aims to medically describe SP and how it is interpreted and managed among various cultural groups.