Rates of isolated sleep paralysis in outpatients with anxiety disorders.
Michael W Otto, Naomi M Simon, Mark Powers, Devon E Hinton, Alyson K Zalta, Mark H Pollack
Journal of Anxiety Disorders 2006 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2005.07.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Outpatients with primary diagnoses of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Key findings | The overall rate of isolated sleep paralysis was 19.7%, with rates of 20.8% for panic disorder, 15.8% for generalized anxiety disorder, and 22.2% for social anxiety disorder. No link was found between depressive disorders and ISP, but anxiety comorbidity was significantly associated with higher ISP rates. |
Abstract
Initial research suggests that rates of isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) are elevated in individuals with panic disorder and particularly low in individuals with other anxiety disorders. To further evaluate these findings, we examined rates of ISP in a sample outpatients with primary diagnoses of panic disorder (n=24), social anxiety disorder (n=18), or generalized anxiety disorder (n=18). We obtained an overall rate of ISP of 19.7%; rates for patients with panic disorder (20.8%) fell between those with generalized anxiety disorder (15.8%) and social phobia (22.2%). Analysis of comorbidities failed to provide evidence of link between depressive disorders and ISP, but did indicate a significant association between anxiety comorbidity and higher rates of ISP. Results are discussed relative to other variables predicting variability in the occurrence of ISP.
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 43
- A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis Sleep Medicine Reviews June 8, 2017
- Prevalence Rates of the Incubus Phenomenon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry November 23, 2017
- Associations between self‐reported parasomnias and psychiatric illness in 370,000 patients with sleep disorders Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences August 30, 2024
- Risk factors of sleep paralysis in a population of Polish students. BMC Psychiatry June 7, 2022
- Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Sleeping Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2024
and 38 more in the library
Cites 12
- Sleep paralysis, sexual abuse, and space alien abduction. Transcultural Psychiatry March 1, 2005
- Sleep Paralysis as Spiritual Experience Transcultural Psychiatry March 1, 2005
- Sleep paralysis in adults reporting repressed, recovered, or continuous memories of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 2005
- Features of isolated sleep paralysis among Nigerians. East African Medical Journal October 1, 2004
- Comparative prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis in Kuwaiti, Sudanese, and American college students. Psychological Reports August 1, 2004
and 7 more in the library