Doctors explained the causes of frightening sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis can cause a person to feel the presence of a stranger in the room, the inability to move, and intense fear. Experts told Izvestia why this condition occurs, who is at risk and when to see a doctor.
Why is this happening
Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs immediately after falling asleep or at the moment of awakening. This state blurs the boundaries between the phases of sleep and reality. Normally, during the REM sleep phase, when a person dreams, the brain shuts down motor activity so that the sleeper cannot harm himself.
Maxim Pankov, a neurologist at the Sberbank Health medical company, noted that the attack occurs due to a malfunction in the alternation of cycles. A person is already aware of himself in reality, but his muscles still remain "disconnected". This discrepancy often causes people to panic and feel very afraid.
Signs and duration
During the episode, people often experience hallucinations. As Pankov explained, at such moments a person can feel someone's presence in the room or experience the illusion of flight. The average duration of an attack is about six minutes, but subjectively the time may feel different — from a few seconds to 20 minutes.
"Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak. It occurs immediately after falling asleep or waking up. Although the states of sleep and wakefulness are usually clearly defined and distinguishable, sleep paralysis can blur these boundaries," Pankov explained.
Risk factors and treatment
The exact cause of the pathology has not been established, but there are a number of predisposing factors. These include sleep apnea, insomnia, chronic stress, and anxiety disorders. If seizures recur more than once a month or cause fear of sleep, it is recommended to consult a somnologist or neurologist.
Svetlana Vostrukhova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, therapist, somnologist, clinical psychologist, emphasized that the condition itself is not dangerous for the body and is controllable. Methods of cognitive behavioral therapy and normalization of the regime are often used for correction. Medications are prescribed only in the presence of concomitant diseases such as narcolepsy or depression.
"Sleep paralysis is perceived by a person as a terrible, catastrophic event and in itself can become a trigger of anxiety and fear, although it does not pose any danger to the body. The organs and systems of a healthy person are quite capable of withstanding the emotion of fear," Vostrukhova said.
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