|
What do you do when you wake up from sleep to find that your body is completely paralyzed? Discover what Sleep Paralysis (also known as Atonia) is and what you can do to avoid it.
Also known as the “Hag Phenomena”, sleep paralysis, basically put, is when the mind has awakened from slumber to find that there is an inability to move the body and its muscles because they are still in a paralyzed state.
It can be an extremely frightening experience, and in most cases can instill panic in the person experiencing it. As scary as it is no physical harm is brought about by this phenomena. It usually only lasts for a few minutes and in most cases can be terminated by a sound or a touch to the body.
There are two types of this sleep disorder: The Common Sleep Paralysis and The Hag/Hallucinatory Sleep Paralysis. The difference between the two is the Hypnogogic (the state between wakefulness and sleep) state.
The Common Sleep Paralysis happens, for most people, during R.E.M. state, when the body releases hormones that paralyze the body to keep it from acting out dreams, thereby reducing any chances of physical harm during sleep. These hormones usually wear off before the dream ends and the person will then wake up with full use of all body functions.
For someone who suffers from Sleep Paralysis, the body’s hormones 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.
The Common Sleep Paralysis usually only lasts from seconds to 1 minute in total, though sometimes it can go a little longer. The Hag/Hallucinatory Sleep Paralysis is experienced when ‘hypnogogic’(inability to perform voluntary movements during sleep) hallucinations are present. During these times, a person will feel as if someone is in the room with them – usually an evil or fearful presence. Some go further and feel as though someone or something is actually sitting on them and they feel like they are going to suffocate or die. Experiencing this can cause a person much anxiety and fear, but there is no physical harm involved.
The Hallucinatory Sleep Paralysis is different from Common Sleep Paralysis because it can last up to 8 minutes long and, due to nightmarish hallucinations, is usually an extremely frightening experience.
How to avoid sleep paralysis:
· Get lots of sleep
· Avoid sleeping on your back
· Try to maintain a regular sleeping pattern/schedule
· Reduce and avoid stress as much as possible
· Try to get regular exercise
· Eat a healthy diet
| 
