Sleep Paralysis in African Americans with Panic Disorder
Cheryl M. Paradis, Steven A. Friedman
Transcultural Psychiatry March 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1177/1363461505050720 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | African-American and white participants, including those with panic disorder and community volunteers |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Key findings | Recurrent sleep paralysis was more common among African Americans, particularly those with panic disorder (59% vs. 7% in whites with panic disorder). African Americans reported more early life stressors, and the authors suggest that psychosocial stressors such as poverty, racism, and acculturation may contribute to these higher rates. |
Abstract
Studies have reported a wide range in lifetime prevalence of sleep paralysis (SP). This variation may stem from cultural factors, stressful life events and genetic differences in studied populations. We found that recurrent SP was more common among African-American participants, especially those with panic disorder. Recurrent SP was reported by 59% of African Americans with panic disorder, 7% of whites with panic disorder, 23% of African-American community volunteers and 6% of white community volunteers. Significantly more early life stressors were reported by African Americans than whites. Higher levels of psychosocial stressors, including poverty, racism and acculturation, may contribute to the higher rates of SP experienced by African Americans.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis Sleep Medicine Reviews June 8, 2017
- Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Sleeping Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2024
- Beliefs about sleep paralysis in Turkey: Karabasan attack. Transcultural Psychiatry June 1, 2021
- Sleep paralysis in Italy: Frequency, hallucinatory experiences, and other features. Transcultural Psychiatry June 1, 2021
- Sleepwalking and Sleep Paralysis: Prevalence in Colombian Families With Genetic Generalized Epilepsy. Journal of child neurology August 2019
and 14 more in the library
Cites 7
- Panic disorder in African-Americans: symptomatology and isolated sleep paralysis. Culture, medicine and psychiatry June 2002
- Situational factors affecting sleep paralysis and associated hallucinations: position and timing effects Journal of Sleep Research June 1, 2002
- Questionnaire relating to sleep paralysis Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences June 1, 2001
- Recognition of sleep paralysis among normal adults in Canada and in Japan Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences June 1, 2000
- Prevalence and pathologic associations of sleep paralysis in the general population. Neurology April 12, 1999
and 2 more in the library