Sleep It Off

It’s not exactly clear why some peo

ple suffer from this confusing condition, although evidence suggests that it’s related to both stress and sleep deprivation. Stress and sleep-related conditions such as PTSD, jetlag, fatigue, changes in routine, narcolepsy, and anxiety can disrupt sleep cycles, making it more likely that the brain will blur the line between REM and non-REM sleep. There’s also a strong correlation between sleep paralysis, panic attacks, and panic disorder. Most people with sleep paralysis report that episodes generally start in the late teens, and that the frequency usually declines by age thirty (although some people experience the paralysis their entire lives). Sleep researchers do know that most sleep paralysis occurs while the sleeper is laying on his back—about 60 percent. There’s also evidence that sleep paralysis increases during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Fortunately, sleep paralysis isn’t harmful, painful, or serious. The worst effects are psychological, since it can be extremely frightening for first-time sufferers or those who already suffer from general anxiety. It’s not a symptom of any serious disease or mental illness, and it generally only lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, often ending when the sleeper hears a loud noise or feels a touch. For people who experience sleep paralysis frequently, however, it can be distressing and discomforting.

The cure for sleep paralysis is, ironically, more sleep. Maintaining a healthier sleep routine is the key to lessening the likelihood of an occurrence. Frequent sufferers are advised to get plenty of sleep on a regular schedule, and not to eat heavy meals or drink alcohol before bed, both of which can cause sleep disturbances and bad dreams. It’s also important to exercise frequently and reduce stress, try not to sleep on your back, and avoid using drugs.

Doctors can help if sleep paralysis becomes distressing or creates excess anxiety. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help regulate sleep cycles and make symptoms go away. Sometimes treating an existing sleep disorder like restless leg syndrome is enough to eliminate sleep paralysis.

It may be frightening, but at least it’s fleeting. Adjusting sleep schedules can regulate the mixed-up impulses that cause sleep paralysis, making getting a full eight hours’ worth a much more pleasant experience—not a waking nightmare.

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