Causes and Prevention
Every night she would fall asleep normally, before suddenly waking up in a dream state unable to move. At that point a monster would enter the room, closing in with the aim of attacking her. Unable to move or scream, she feels completely helpless and scared to death.
Imagine that feeling of being awake but paralyzed, unable to move or speak. Helpless. Sleep paralysis is exactly that. Affecting less than 8 percent of the general population, a session of sleep paralysis usually lasts around 1 to 2 minutes, typically happening in the mixed-consciousness state of falling off to sleep or waking up. Although it sounds scary, the condition is not dangerous and not a chronic sleep disorder. Signs point to that the risk of sleep paralysis increases with negative stress and high anxiety. And that it can be regulated and avoided by keeping a consistent sleep schedule and limiting everyday stress factors.
Learn more about sleep paralysis in the articles below.
An estimated 8% of people experience sleep paralysis at some point in their life. But what does sleep paralysis really feel like and what are the risk factors?
Sleep Paralysis Monica Garcia
The scare of wakeful dreaming.
Sleep Paralysis Malin Eriksson
When experiencing sleep paralysis you can’t move, but you can see clearly and breathe normally. You hallucinate.
Sleep Paralysis Carl-Henrik Monrad-Aas
My eyes were wide open, but I couldn’t move. I had stopped breathing. Not because something was stopping me, but because it seemed like I had forgotten how to.
Sleep Paralysis Toketemu Ohwovoriole
