Sleep Paralysis: A Mythical Monster or A Psychiatric Illness

In cold night in December I was in deep sleep when suddenly my sleep got interrupted and I was awakened. I tried to get up to check the time when I noticed that I wasn't able to move. I tried but I was not even able to move my fingers. I don't remember whether I've opened my eyes or not but Yes I was fully alert and suddenly I felt a weight on my chest, as like someone was sitting on my chest and was trying to choke me. I became breathless, gasping for air, trying to pull out the weight on my chest, got anxious and tried every ways to help myself but it was like someone has restricted my arms and legs. After a couple of minutes in struggle I was finally freed I suddenly sat on the bed, was breathing with my open mouth in order to inhale as much oxygen as I can, My forhead was soaked in cold sweat and there was a heaviness on my chest as if someone has just stood up from my chest. I calmed myself, sipped some water, recited some prayers, and again went to bed. While thinking about the recent event I was drifted to sleep. 

Folklores regarding Sleep Paralysis -

1) Descendants of Lillith: Lillith or 

     She-demon is referred in the Summerian King list of 2400 BC, where Lillith was considered a Vampire and a Harlot, the "Beautiful Maiden" where once she chose a man, he is Her's Forever. 

                           Lillith

In The Bible, Isaiah 34:14, she is referred to as "Screech Owl", i.e a creature of the night where she haunted Good Women who were childbearing. 

Lillith bore 4 children, one of four succubi or Vampire-like Demon named Lilliu preyed on Men while they were asleep while other three Subbus named Lillitu or She-demon had nocturnal union with Men.

                      

                      Succubus

2) "The Nightmare":

Swiss artist Henry Fuseli, protrayed the phenomena through painting, "The Nightmare" in which a young lady lies limply sprawled across her bed, and an Incubus is squatting gortesquely on her stomach as in to draw her into the darkest nightmare. The painting is the best potrayel of clinical presentation of Sleep Paralysis. 

3) The Old Hag: 

Old Hag or Night Hag is the name given to Nightmare in Cannadian and North Eastern America. Hag was actually seen as mystical creatures, as a Spirit, Goddess and in some folklores as Witches who takes the form of Gorsteque or Hideous Old Woman, and often had a power over the  Elements or Magic. They have gained both Fear and Respect in equal lengths by the Superstitions.

There are many superstition or beliefs spread worldwide regarding Sleep paralysis. 

Let's now dive in towards Scientific Reasons:

Sleep Paralysis-

Sleep Paralysis is one of the example of Sleep-wake Disorders. During sleep, brain cycles through 4 stages of sleep:

Stage 1-3 known as Non-rapid Eye Movement (NREM) 

Stage 4 known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or Paradoxical Sleep.

Brain releases some waves which is detected by Electroencephalography (EEG) in which it signals the muscles to relax. "When there is a dysfunctional synchronization between the signals of Brain and relaxation of muscles, it leads to Sleep Paralysis." 

Muscles are "Turned off" during REM sleep phase. If any person's brain get activated and alert during the REM phase then that person will experience Sleep Paralysis. 

Types of Sleep Paralysis:

Sleep Paralysis is divided into 2 parts-

1) Hypnagogic or Pre-dormital.               sleep paralysis- It is a phase before body shifts into deep sleep. 

Body relaxes slowly, usually less aware around the surroundings. However, if someone remains or become aware while falling asleep, it may notice that one cannot move or speak. 

2) Hypnopompic or Post-dormital sleep paralysis- During sleep, body alters between REM and NREM sleep. One cycle of REM and NREM sleep last about 90 minutes.

NREM sleep occur first and take upto 75% of overall sleep time. During NREM sleep, body relaxes and restores itself. At the end of NREM sleep body shifts to REM. 

During REM sleep eyes moves quickly and dreams occur, but the rest of the body remain relaxed. During this phase for any reason if the brain cells get activated making someone alert it will be noticed that one will be fully aware of the surroundings but still cannot move it's body parts which lead to experience "Sleep Paralysis".

As every muscles is relaxed the diaphragmatic muscles and respiratory centres are also relaxed, so when someone is awake during REM phase it'll be noticed that one will have Trouble Breathing, Gasping for air and may also experience that something is weighted on their chest adding more trouble in breathing. 

As the brain is not fully alert or in active phase, it leads to imagine distorted images which lead to a person experiencing Visual Haullicination. That's why some claim that they saw a Demon or felt like someone is squatting on their chest trying to choke them. 

Reasons for experiencing sleep paralysis-

1) Lack of sleep. 

2) Disturbed sleep schedule.

3) Mental condition such stress or            Bipolar disorder. 

4) Sleeping on the back. 

5) Night time leg cramps. 

6) Narcolepsy ( a kind of sleep disorder in which a person is drowsy in day time even when he sleeps for 8-10 hrs during night).

7) Substance Abuse ( Alocoholic, Tobacco Consumer, drug addict etc.) 

Treatment-

1) Improve sleep Habits.

2) Treat mental health issues. 

3) If dealing with depression use anti-       depressants drugs. 

4) If dealing with Narcolepsy consult to nearest Psychologist and Psychiatrist.