What Is Sleep Paralysis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

This condition occurs most often in people in their twenties and thirties, but it can also happen later in life.

Sleep paralysis is the inability to move your body when you're falling asleep or waking up.

It doesn't affect your sleep or your overall health.

When you're asleep, your brain tells your muscles to relax and stay still. In sleep paralysis, this also occurs while you're awake.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that sleep paralysis is a common sleep problem.

Estimates of how many people have it vary from 5 to 40 percent of the population.

While most people first experience sleep paralysis in their teenage years, the condition is most common when people are in their twenties and thirties, and may continue later in life.

Some people experience sleep paralysis just once in their life, while others experience it many times.

Sleep paralysis can be a sign of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes extreme drowsiness during the day and can cause people to suddenly fall asleep.

What Happens in Sleep Paralysis

Episodes of sleep paralysis can last for seconds or minutes.

During an episode, you'll still be able to breathe normally, and you'll be aware of everything that is happening.

The following symptoms may occur:

• Inability to talk
• Inability to move your arms, legs, body, or head
• Hallucinations that cause you to see, hear, or feel things that aren't really there

The episode may end on its own, when someone touches or speaks to you, or if you try very hard to move.

Causes of Sleep Paralysis

Having a relative with sleep paralysis may put you at greater risk for the condition.

Other factors that may contribute to the condition include:

• Lack of sleep
• An erratic sleep schedule
• Stress
• Sleeping on your back
• Taking certain medications
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Having leg cramps related to sleep
• Having bipolar disorder
• Having another medical condition

Treatment and Medication Options for Sleep Paralysis

Once your doctor determines the cause of your sleep paralysis, treatment can begin.

Treatments may include:

• Getting six to eight hours of sleep a night (if you currently sleep less)
• Medications to treat bipolar disorder or another mental health disorder
• Treatment for underlying conditions, such as leg cramps
• Antidepressants to reduce or eliminate dream sleep, if you have narcolepsy (even if you're not depressed)