Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where a person feels conscious during sleep but is temporarily unable to move or speak. It occurs when there is a disruption in the normal sleep cycle where signals from the brain paralyze the body. For some people, this paralysis does not fully wear off as they wake up. Episodes typically last seconds to minutes and are often accompanied by frightening hallucinations. While not harmful, sleep paralysis can be distressing and in severe cases may be associated with other sleep or mental health conditions. Improving sleep habits and treating any contributing factors can help reduce episodes of sleep paralysis.

2. Sleep paralysisThe terrifying nightmareBy Taher Haddad

3. Historical Background ..Real Frightening Experience !!On Scientific Base What Prevents You From Acting Your Dream??Diagnostic CriteriaHow to Treat It?Factors Linked to Sleep ParalysisWhat can I do about it?The webOutlines:

4. Over the centuries, symptoms of sleep paralysis have been described in many ways and often attributed to shadowy evil creatures (or demons) that terrify helpless humans at night !This creature was considered to sit upon one's chest at night, in an attempt to suffocate the person and paralyze him. Historical Background ..

6. Have you ever felt like you were awake but unable to move?You might have even felt afraid but could not call for help?This condition is called: isolated recurrent sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis may leave you feeling frightened, especially if you also see or hear things that aren't really there.Real Frightening Experience !!

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8. Definition : sleepparalysisis a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, the sufferer may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. On Scientific Base I

9. It usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while falling asleep, it's called predormital sleep paralysis.If it happens while waking up, it's called postdormital sleep paralysis.On Scientific Base II

10. Up to as many as 4 out of every 10 people may have sleep paralysis*.This common condition is often first noticed in the teen years. But men and women of any age can have it. Sleep paralysis may run in families.On Scientific Base III*according to webmd.com

11. It is the natural mechanism, during REM state, that the brain sends signals which paralyze the body to keep it from acting out dreams, thereby reducing any chances of physical harm during sleep. This effect usually wear off before the dream ends and the person will then wake up with full use of all body voluntary movements. What Prevents You From Acting Your Dream??

12. But for someone who suffers from sleep paralysis, the body’s neuronal signals are still actively restraining the motor functions and muscle groups of the body and so the person wakes up to find that he/she is temporarily paralyzed and does not know why. What Prevents You From Acting Your Dream?? (con’t)

13. 1) Inability to move the trunk and all limbs at sleep onset or on waking from sleep.2) Each episode lasts seconds to a few minutes.3) The sleep disturbance is not better explained by another sleep disorder (particularly narcolepsy), a medical or neurologic disorder, mental disorder, medication use, or substance use disorder.Note: Hallucinatory experiences may be present but are not essential to the diagnosis.Diagnostic Criteria

14. a lack of sleepa sleep schedule that changesmental conditions such as stress or bipolar disordersleeping on the backother sleep problems such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg crampsuse of certain medicationssubstance abuseFactors Linked to Sleep Paralysis

15. Most people need no treatment for sleep paralysis. Treating any underlying conditions such as narcolepsy may help for betterment. How to Treat It?

16. improving sleep habits -- such as making sure you get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each nightusing antidepressant medication (to help regulate sleep cycles)treating any mental health problems that may contribute to sleep paralysistreating any other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or leg cramps.How to Treat It? (con’t)

17. A good way to leave the paralyzed state is to breathe in a calm, relaxed fashion and make attempts to move small body parts, such as the eyelids or fingers and toes.What can I do about it?

18. Sleep Paralysis Information Servicehttp://www.spis.org.uk/The web

19. References webmd.com – sleep disorders

20. medterms.com