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| − | '''Sleep paralysis''' is [[paralysis]] associated with sleep that may occur in healthy persons or may be associated with [[narcolepsy]], [[cataplexy]], and [[hypnagogic hallucinations]]. The [[pathophysiology]] of this condition is closely related to the normal [[hypotonia]] that occurs during [[Rapid eye movement sleep|REM sleep]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hishikawa |first=Y. |last2=Shimizu |first2=T. |title=Physiology of REM sleep, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis |journal=Adv Neurol |year=1995 |volume=67 |pages=245–271 |pmid=8848973 }}</ref> When considered to be a disease, isolated sleep paralysis is classified as [[Medical Subject Headings|MeSH]] D020188.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2007/MB_cgi?field=uid&term=D020188 |title=D020188 }}</ref> Some evidence suggests that it can also, in some cases, be a symptom of [[migraine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreaminglucid.com/articlejc.html |title=Scared Stiff - Sleep Paralysis: An Interview with Jorge Conesa, PhD. |first=Lucy |last=Gillis |year=2001 |work=The Lucid Dream Exchange }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.migraine-aura.org/content/e27891/e27265/e42285/e42290/e55289/e58636/index_en.html |title=Sleep paralysis |date=23 January 2008 |first=Klaus |last=Podoll |first2=Markus |last2=Dahlem |first3=Sofia |last3=Greene }}</ref> | + | '''Sleep paralysis''' is paralysis associated with sleep that may occur in healthy persons or may be associated with [[narcolepsy]], [[cataplexy]], and hypnagogic hallucinations. The pathophysiology of this condition is closely related to the normal hypotonia that occurs during [[Rapid eye movement sleep|REM sleep]]. When considered to be a disease, isolated sleep paralysis is classified as Medical Subject Headings. Some evidence suggests that it can also, in some cases, be a symptom of migraine. |
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| − | [[Image:John Henry Fuseli - The Nightmare.JPG|thumb|280px|''[[The Nightmare]]'', by [[Henry Fuseli]] (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a [[demon]]ic visitation.]]
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| | ==Symptoms and characteristics == | | ==Symptoms and characteristics == |
| − | Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to [[REM atonia]], the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of [[Rapid eye movement sleep|REM (rapid eye movement) sleep]]. Sleep paralysis occurs either when falling asleep, or when awakening. When it occurs upon falling asleep, the person remains aware while the body shuts down for REM sleep, and it is called [[hypnagogic]] or predormital sleep paralysis. When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called [[hypnopompic]] or postdormital.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis</ref> The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, "by which the individual may experience panic symptoms"<ref name="Hersen, Turner 2007 p. 380">Hersen, Turner & Beidel. (2007) Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis. p. 380</ref> (described below). As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not entirely complete; use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes.<ref>Hearne, K. (1990) The Dream Machine: Lucid dreams and how to control them, p18. ISBN 0-85030-906-9</ref> When there is an absence of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is referred to as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP).<ref name="Hersen, Turner 2007">Hersen, Turner & Beidel. (2007) Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis</ref> | + | Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to REM atonia, the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of [[Rapid eye movement sleep|REM (rapid eye movement) sleep]]. Sleep paralysis occurs either when falling asleep, or when awakening. When it occurs upon falling asleep, the person remains aware while the body shuts down for REM sleep, and it is called [[hypnagogic]] or predormital sleep paralysis. When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called hypnopompic or postdormital. The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, "by which the individual may experience panic symptoms" (described below). As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not entirely complete; use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes. |
| − | [[Image:Augustins cauchemar 03.JPG | thumb|280px | Le Cauchemar, by Eugène Thivier (1894)]]
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| − | In addition, the paralysis may be accompanied by terrifying [[hallucinations]] ([[hypnopompic]] or [[Hypnagogia|hypnagogic]]), perceived [[Exploding head syndrome|deafening loud noise]] and an acute sense of danger.<ref>Hersen Turner & Beidel. (2007) Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis</ref> Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations.<ref name="Hersen, Turner 2007"/> The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of [[alien abduction]]s and [[ghost]]ly encounters.<ref name="pmid15881271">{{cite journal |author=McNally RJ, Clancy SA. |title=Sleep Paralysis, Sexual Abuse, and Space Alien Abduction |journal=Transcultural Psychiatry |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=113–122 |year=2005|pmid=15881271 |doi=10.1177/1363461505050715}}</ref> A study by [[Susan Blackmore]] and [[Marcus Cox]] (the Blackmore-Cox study) of the [[University of the West of England]] supports the suggestion that reports of alien abductions are related to sleep paralysis rather than to [[temporal lobe]] lability.<ref name="ejufoas">{{cite journal | last = Blackmore | first = Susan | authorlink = Susan Blackmore | coauthors = Marcus Cox | title = Alien Abductions, Sleep Paralysis and the Temporal Lobe | journal = European Journal of UFO and Abduction Studies | volume = | issue = 1 | pages = 113–118 | publisher = | location = | date = | url = http://72.14.235.132/search?q=cache:oDUW-O3VERkJ:www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Articles/ejufoas00.html+%22Alien+Abductions,+Sleep+Paralysis+and+the+Temporal+Lobe%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=firefox-a | doi = | id = | accessdate = 2008-07-26}}</ref> Some authors have warned of the possible misconnection between child sexual abuse (CSA) and hypnagogic/pompic phenomena and have noted that some clients after having described such an event to a fortune teller or psychic that the psychic may have suggested CSA.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Murphy |first=G. |last2=Egan |first2=J. |year=2010 |title=Sleep paralysis and hallucinations: What clinicians need to know |journal=Irish Psychologist |volume=36 |issue= |pages=95–98 |doi= }}</ref><ref>http://www.lenus.ie/hse/bitstream/10147/111896/1/IPMarch2010.pdf</ref> | + | In addition, the paralysis may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations, perceived [[Exploding head syndrome|deafening loud noise]] and an acute sense of danger. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters. Some authors have warned of the possible misconnection between child sexual abuse and hypnagogic/pompic phenomena and have noted that some clients after having described such an event to a fortune teller or psychic that the psychic may have suggested CSA. |
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| | ==Possible causes== | | ==Possible causes== |
| − | {{Expand section|examples of causal [[neurophysiological]] factors|date=December 2010}}
| + | In surveys from Canada, China, England, Japan and Nigeria, 20% to 60% of individuals reported having experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. A study conducted by Sedaghat-Hamedani F. et al. has investigated the prevalence of sleep paralysis among Iranian medical students. 24.1% of students reported experiencing sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. Comparable results were reported among Japanese, Nigerian, Kuwaiti, Sudanese and American students.< |
| − | In surveys from Canada, China, England, Japan and Nigeria, 20% to 60% of individuals reported having experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.<ref name="Blackmore, Susan J. 2002 pp. 45-59">{{cite journal |last=Blackmore |first=Susan J. |last2=Parker |first2=Jennifer J. |year=2002 |title=Comparing the Content of Sleep Paralysis and Dream Reports |journal=Dreaming |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=45–59 |doi=10.1023/A:1013894522583 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Spanos |first=N. P. |last2=McNulty |first2=S. A. |last3=DuBreuil |first3=S. C. |last4=Pires |first4=M. |year=1995 |title=The frequency and correlates of sleep paralysis in a university sample |journal=Journal of Research in Personality |volume=29 |issue=3 |pages=285–305 |doi=10.1006/jrpe.1995.1017 }}</ref> A study conducted by Sedaghat-Hamedani F. et al. has investigated the prevalence of sleep paralysis among Iranian medical students. 24.1% of students reported experiencing sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. Comparable results were reported among Japanese, Nigerian, Kuwaiti, Sudanese and American students.<ref>{{cite conference |last=Sedaghat-Hamedani |first=F. |last2=Kayvanpour |first2=E. |last3=Rezai |first3=A. |year=2004 |title=Prevalence of sleep paralysis and other symptoms of narcolepsy in Iranian medical students |conference=3rd scientific conference for GCC Medical Students }}</ref> | |
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| − | Many people who commonly enter sleep paralysis also suffer from [[narcolepsy]].<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 12211324 | last1 = Friedman | author-separator =, | first1 = S | author-name-separator= | last2 = Paradis | first2 = C | title = Panic disorder in African-Americans: symptomatology and isolated sleep paralysis. | journal = Culture, medicine and psychiatry| volume=26 | issue=2 | year=2002 | month=June | pages=179–98 | doi = 10.1023/A:1016307515418}}</ref> | + | Many people who commonly enter sleep paralysis also suffer from [[narcolepsy]]. |
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| | Some reports read that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include: | | Some reports read that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include: |
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| | * Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes | | * Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes |
| | * A [[lucid dream]] that immediately precedes the episode. | | * A [[lucid dream]] that immediately precedes the episode. |
| − | * Excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with lack of adequate sleep.<ref>{{cite web| author= J. A. Cheyne | url=http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/prevent.html | title= Preventing and Coping with Sleep Paralysis | accessdate=17 July 2006}} (reference for all six factors that increase likelihood of paralysis/hallucinations)</ref> | + | * Excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with lack of adequate sleep. |
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| − | In ''The Terror That Comes in the Night'', folklorist and behavioral scientist David J. Hufford argues that sleep paralysis is related to an anomalous experience known in Newfoundland as "the Old Hag." According to Hufford, the Old Hag is "an experience with stable contents which is widespread, dramatic, realistic, and bizarre," and elements of the phenomenon cannot be fully explained either by psychology or culture. His works have explored the connection between the Old Hag and parapsychology in what he labels the "experience-centered approach" to hauntings.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hufford |first=D. J. |title=The terror that comes in the night: an experience-centered study of supernatural assault traditions |location=Philadelphia |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=1982 |isbn=0812278518 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hufford |first=D. J. |chapter=An experience-centered approach to hauntings |editor1-last=Houran |editor1-first=James |editor2-last=Lange |editor2-first=Rense |title=Hauntings and Poltergeists: Multidisciplinary Perspectives |location=London |publisher=McFarland |year=2001 |isbn=0786409843 }}</ref> | + | In ''The Terror That Comes in the Night'', folklorist and behavioral scientist David J. Hufford argues that sleep paralysis is related to an anomalous experience known in Newfoundland as "the Old Hag." According to Hufford, the Old Hag is "an experience with stable contents which is widespread, dramatic, realistic, and bizarre," and elements of the phenomenon cannot be fully explained either by psychology or culture. His works have explored the connection between the Old Hag and parapsychology in what he labels the "experience-centered approach" to hauntings. |
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| | ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |
| − | Treatment starts with patient education about sleep stages and about the muscle atonia that is typically associated with REM sleep. It is recommended that patients be evaluated for [[narcolepsy]] if symptoms persist.<ref>Wills L, Garcia J. Parasomnias: Epidemiology and Management. CNS Drugs [serial online]. December 2002;16(12):803-810.</ref> | + | Treatment starts with patient education about sleep stages and about the muscle atonia that is typically associated with REM sleep. It is recommended that patients be evaluated for [[narcolepsy]] if symptoms persist. |
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| − | ==Related phenomena==
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| − | Many perceptions associated with sleep paralysis (visceral buzzing, loud sounds, excited mental state,<ref>"The Projection of the Astral Body", 1968, Sylvan Muldoon and Hereward Carrington: p71</ref> presences, and the paralysis itself) also constitute a common phase in the early progression of episodes referred to as [[out of body experience]]s.<ref>http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Conferences/SPR99.html "OBEs and Sleep Paralysis", Susan Blackmore</ref> Mental focus varies between the two conditions; paralysis sufferers tend to fixate on reestablishing operation of the body, whereas subjects of out-of-body episodes are more occupied by perceived non-equivalence with the body.
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| − | ==Folklore==
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| − | The original definition of sleep paralysis was codified by [[Dr. Samuel Johnson]] in his ''[[A Dictionary of the English Language]]'' as "nightmare," a term that evolved into our modern definition. Such sleep paralysis was widely considered to be the work of [[demon]]s and more specifically [[incubus (demon)|incubi]], which were thought to sit on the chests of sleepers. In [[Old English language|Old English]] the name for these beings was ''mare'' or ''mære'' (from a [[proto-Germanic language|proto-Germanic]] ''*marōn'', cf. [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]] ''[[mara (folklore)|mara]]''), hence comes the ''mare'' part in ''nightmare''. The word might be etymologically cognate to Hellenic ''Marōn'' (in the [[Odyssey]]) and [[Sanskrit]] ''[[Mara (demon)|Māra]]''.
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| − | In [[Swedish people|Swedish]] folklore, sleep paralysis is caused by a Mare, a supernatural creature related to the [[werewolf]]. The Mare is a damned woman, who is cursed and her body is carried mysteriously during sleep and without her noticing. In this state, she visits villagers to sit on their rib cages while they are asleep, causing them to experience nightmares. The Swedish film [[Marianne (2011 film)|Marianne]] examines the folklore surrounding sleep paralysis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://lesgivresdlabobine.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/entretien-avec-le-realisateur-filip-tegstedt-a-propos-de-marianne/&ei=BLVqTaK9D4nQceTO_Y0M&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEAQ7gEwBg|title=Interview with director Filip Tegstedt, about Marianne |first=Aurore|last=Bjursell|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
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| − | Folk belief in Newfoundland, South Carolina and Georgia describe the negative figure of the [[Hag]] who leaves her physical body at night, and sits on the chest of her victim. The victim usually wakes with a feeling of terror, has difficulty breathing because of a perceived heavy invisible weight on his or her chest, and is unable to move i.e., experiences sleep paralysis. This nightmare experience is described as being "hag-ridden" in the [[Gullah]] lore. The "Old Hag" was a nightmare spirit in British and also Anglophone North American folklore.
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| − | In [[Fiji]], the experience is interpreted as "kana tevoro" being 'eaten' or possessed by a demon. In many cases the 'demon' can be the spirit of a recently dead relative who has come back for some unfinished business, or has come to communicate some important news to the living. Often persons sleeping near the afflicted person say "kania, kania" (eat! eat!) in an attempt to prolong the possession for a chance to converse with the dead relative or spirit and seek answers as to why he/she has come back. The person waking up from the experience is often asked to immediately curse or chase the spirit of the dead relative, which sometimes involves literally speaking to the spirit telling him/her to go away or using expletives.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}
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| − | In Nigeria, "ISP appears to be far more common and recurrent among people of African descent than among whites or Nigerian Africans",<ref name="Hersen, Turner 2007 p. 380"/> and is often referred to within African communities as "the Devil on your back."<ref name="Mattek, 2005 Memoirs p. 34">Mattek, (2005) Memoirs p. 34</ref><ref name="Katherine Roberts">{{cite web|url=http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/main_misc_cauchemar.html|title=Contemporary Cauchemar: Experience, Belief, Prevention|work=Folklife in Louisiana|author=Katherine Roberts|publisher=The Louisiana Folklife Program}}</ref><ref name="pmid6737506">{{cite journal |author=Bell CC, Shakoor B, Thompson B, Dew D, Hughley E, Mays R, Shorter-Gooden K |title=Prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis in black subjects |journal=Journal of the National Medical Association |volume=76 |issue=5 |pages=501–508 |year=1984 |pmid=6737506 |pmc=2561758}}</ref>
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| − | In [[Turkey]], and in many Islamic beliefs,{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} Sleep Paralysis is called ''[[Karabasan]]'', and is similar other stories of demonic visitation during sleep. A demon, commonly known as a ''[[djinn]]'' (''cin'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]), comes to the victim's room, holds him or her down hard enough not to allow any kind of movement, and starts to strangle the person. Many people even say that they hear the voice of the djinn or of Satan. To get rid of the demonic creature, one needs to pray to God ([[Allah]] in Islamic beliefs) with certain lines from the [[Qur'an]]. If one does not pray soon enough, it is said that the demonic creature will strangle the person to death. Some women actually believe the creature raped them during the visitation due to waking up with pain around the area of their genitalia and with a headache.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}
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| − | Various forms of [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] and [[spiritual possession]] were also advanced as causes. In nineteenth century [[Europe]], the vagaries of diet were thought to be responsible. For example, in [[Charles Dickens]]'s ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'', [[Ebenezer Scrooge]] attributes the [[ghost]] he sees to "... an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato..." In a similar vein, the ''[[Household Cyclopedia]]'' (1881) offers the following advice about nightmares:
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| − | :"Great attention is to be paid to regularity and choice of diet. Intemperance of every kind is hurtful, but nothing is more productive of this disease than drinking bad wine. Of eatables those which are most prejudicial are all fat and greasy meats and pastry... Moderate exercise contributes in a superior degree to promote the digestion of food and prevent flatulence; those, however, who are necessarily confined to a sedentary occupation, should particularly avoid applying themselves to study or bodily labor immediately after eating... Going to bed before the usual hour is a frequent cause of night-mare, as it either occasions the patient to sleep too long or to lie long awake in the night. Passing a whole night or part of a night without rest likewise gives birth to the disease, as it occasions the patient, on the succeeding night, to sleep too soundly. Indulging in sleep too late in the morning, is an almost certain method to bring on the paroxysm, and the more frequently it returns, the greater strength it acquires; the propensity to sleep at this time is almost irresistible."<ref>[http://www.mspong.org/cyclopedia/medicine.html#nightmare The Household Cyclopedia - Medicine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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| − | ==Around the world==
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| − | {{No footnotes|section|date=May 2009}}
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| − | Complete references to many cultures are given in [[Sleep paralysis#References|the References section]]
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| − | <!---deletions to this section are here [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Sleep_paralysis#Edited_out_by_Laurascudder.2C_see_article.27s_history]
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| − | --->
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| − | <!---The '''bibliographic references''' to most cultural references have always been and still are here: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis#References] --->
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| − | <!-- The following list is arranged east-to-west from Asia to the Americas. If there's a more logical way of arranging this, please do so. -->
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| − | === East Asia ===
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| − | * In [[Chinese culture]], sleep paralysis is widely known as "鬼壓身/鬼压身" ([[pinyin]]: guǐ yā shēn) or "鬼壓床/鬼压床" ([[pinyin]]: guǐ yā chuáng), which literally translate into "ghost pressing on body" or "ghost pressing on bed." A more modern term is "夢魘/梦魇" ([[pinyin]]: mèng yǎn).
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| − | * In [[Japanese language|Japanese]] culture, sleep paralysis is referred to as ''kanashibari'' ([[:ja:金縛り|金縛り]], literally "bound or fastened in metal," from "kane" (metal) and "shibaru" (to bind, to tie, to fasten). This term is occasionally used by English speaking authors to refer to the phenomenon both in academic papers and in [[popular psychology|pop psych]] literature.<ref name="shibaru">{{Cite journal |title=High prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis: kanashibari phenomenon in Japan |last=Fukuda |first=K. |last2=Miyasita |first2=A. |last3=Inugami |first3=M. |last4=Ishihara |first4=K. |journal=Sleep |year=1987 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=279–286 |doi= |pmid=3629091 }}</ref>
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| − | * In [[Korean culture]], sleep paralysis is called ''gawi nulim'' ({{Ko-hhrm|hangul=[[:ko:가위눌림|가위눌림]]}}), literally meaning "being pressed down by a ghost". It is often associated with a superstitious belief that a ghost or spirit is lying on top of or pressing down on the sufferer.
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| − | * In [[Mongolian culture]], nightmares in general as well as sleep paralysis is referred to by the verb-phrase ''khar darakh'' (written kara darahu), meaning "to be pressed by the Black" or "when the Dark presses". "Kara" means black and may refer to the dark side personified. "Kharin buu" means shaman of the Black (shamans of the dark side only survive in far-northern [[Mongolia]]), while "tsaghaan zugiin buu" means shaman of the white direction (referring to shamans who only invoke the benevolent spirits). Compare 'karabasan' (the dark presser) in Turkish, which may date from pre-Islamic times when the Turks had the same religion and mythology as the Mongols. See [[Mythology of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples]] and [[Tengriism]].
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| − | === South-East Asia ===
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| − | * In Cambodian, Lao, and Thai culture, sleep paralysis is called ''phǐǐ am'' and ''khmout sukkhot''. It is described as an event in which the person is sleeping and dreams that one or more ghostly figures are nearby or even holding him or her down. The sufferer usually thinks that he or she is awake but unable to move or make any noises. This is not to be confused with ''pee khao'' and ''khmout jool'', ghost possession.
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| − | * In [[Hmong people|Hmong]] culture, sleep paralysis is understood to be caused by a nocturnal pressing spirit, ''dab tsog''. ''Dab tsog'' attacks "sleepers" by sitting on their chests, sometimes attempting to strangle them. Some believe that ''dab tsog'' is responsible for [[Sudden unexpected death syndrome|Sudden unexpected nocturnal death syndrome]] (SUNDS), which claimed the lives of over 100 Southeast Asian immigrants in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Adler (2011) offers a biocultural perspective on sleep paralysis and the sudden deaths. She suggests that an interplay between the Brugada syndrome (a genetic cardiac disorder) and the traditional meaning of a ''dab tsog'' attack are at the heart of the sudden deaths.<ref>{{cite book |last=Adler |first=Shelley R. |year=2011 |title=Sleep Paralysis: Night-mares, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=9780813548852 }}</ref>
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| − | * In Vietnamese culture, sleep paralysis is referred to as ''ma đè'', meaning "held down by a ghost" or ''bóng đè'', meaning "held down by a shadow".
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| − | * In [[Culture of the Philippines|Philippine culture]], ''[[Sudden unexpected death syndrome|bangungut]]'' has traditionally been attributed to nightmares.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Munger|first=Ronald G.|coauthors=Elizabeth A. Booton|year=1998|title=Bangungut in Manila: sudden and unexplained death in sleep of adult Filipinos|journal=[[International Journal of Epidemiology]]|volume=27|issue=4|pages=677–684 |doi=10.1093/ije/27.4.677|pmid=9758125}}</ref> People who have claimed to survive such nightmares have reported experiencing the symptoms of sleep paralysis.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}
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| − | *In New Guinea, people refer to this phenomenon as ''Suk Ninmyo'', believed to originate from sacred trees that use human essence to sustain its life. The trees are said to feed on human essence during night as to not disturb the human's daily life, but sometimes people wake unnaturally during the feeding, resulting in the paralysis.
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| − | * In Malay of Malay Peninsula, sleep paralysis is known as ''kena tindih'' (or ''ketindihan'' in Indonesia), which means "being pressed".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sleepclinicjakarta.tblog.com/post/1969898557 |title=Klinik Gangguan Tidur }}</ref> Incidents are commonly considered to be the work of a malign agency; occurring in what are explained as blind spots in the field of vision, they are reported as demonic figures.
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| − | === South Asia ===
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| − | * In [[Pakistan]], sleep paralysis is considered to be an encounter with [[Shaitan]] ([[Urdu language|Urdu]]: شيطان ) ([[Satan]]), [[evil]] [[jinn]]s or [[demon]]s who have taken over one's body. Like [[Iran]], this [[ghoul]] is known as 'bakhtak' ([[Urdu language|Urdu]]: بختک) or 'ifrit'. It is also assumed that it is caused by the [[black magic]] performed by enemies and jealous persons.
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| − | * [[Muslim]] holy persons ([[Imam]]s, [[Maulvi]]s, [[Sufi]]s, [[Mullah]]s, [[Fakir|Faqirs]]) perform [[exorcism]] on individuals who are believed to be [[Demonic possession|possessed]]. The homes, houses, buildings and grounds are [[Blessing|blessed]] and [[Consecration|consecrated]] by [[Mullah]]s or [[Imam]]s by reciting [[Qur'an]] and [[Adhan]] ([[Urdu language|Urdu]]: أَذَان), the [[Islam]]ic call to [[Salah|prayer]], recited by the [[muezzin]].
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| − | * In [[Bangladesh]], the phenomenon of sleep paralysis is referred to as ''boba'' meaning "speechless" for the reason that people can't move their body and can't talk even if they want to.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
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| − | * In Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamil culture, this particular phenomenon is referred to as 'Amuku Be' or 'Amuku Pei' meaning "the ghost that forces one down".{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
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| − | * In Nepal, especially [[Newa people|Newari]] culture it is also known as 'Khyaak' a ghost-like figure believed to reside in the darkness under the staircases of a house.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
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| − | === Middle-East, Western and Central Asia ===
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| − | * In [[Arabic]] Culture, sleep paralysis is often referred to as 'Kaboos' ({{lang-ar|كابوس}}), literally "pressers" or 'Ja-thoom' ({{lang-ar|جاثوم}}) literally "What sits heavily on something", though the term 'Kaboos' is also used to refer to any form of bad dreams. In folklore across Arab countries, the 'Kaboos' is believed to be a ''[[Shaitan|shayṭān]]'' or a ''[[ifrit|‘ifrīt]]'' which sits, heavily, on people's chests.
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| − | * In [[Turkey|Turkish]] culture, sleep paralysis is often referred to as "karabasan" ("The dark presser/assailer"). It is believed to be a creature that attacks people in their sleep, pressing on their chest and stealing their breath. However, folk legends do not provide a reason why the devil or ifrit does that.
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| − | * In [[Persian people|Persian]] culture it is known as 'bakhtak' ([[Persian language|Persian]]: بختک), which is a ghost-like spear chucker creature that sits on the dreamer's chest, making breathing hard for him/her.
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| − | | |
| − | === Africa ===
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| − | * In African culture, isolated sleep paralysis is commonly referred to as "the witch riding your back".<ref name="Mattek, 2005 Memoirs p. 34"/><ref name="Katherine Roberts"/>
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| − | *Ogun Oru is a traditional explanation for nocturnal disturbances among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria; ogun oru (nocturnal warfare) involves an acute night-time disturbance that is culturally attributed to demonic infiltration of the body and psyche during dreaming. Ogun oru is characterized by its occurrence, a female preponderance, the perception of an underlying feud between the sufferer's earthly spouse and a 'spiritual' spouse, and the event of bewitchment through eating while dreaming. The condition is believed to be treatable through Christian prayers or elaborate traditional rituals designed to exorcise the imbibed demonic elements.<ref name="pmid17379609">{{cite journal |author=Aina OF, Famuyiwa OO |title=Ogun Oru: a traditional explanation for nocturnal neuropsychiatric disturbances among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria |journal=Transcultural psychiatry |volume=44 |issue=1 |pages=44–54 |year=2007 |pmid=17379609 |doi=10.1177/1363461507074968}}</ref>
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| − | * In Zimbabwean Shona culture the word Madzikirira is used to refer something really pressing one down. This mostly refers to the spiritual world in which some spirit—especially an evil one—tries to use its victim for some evil purpose. The people believe that witches can only be people of close relations to be effective, and hence a witches often try to use one's spirit to bewitch one's relatives.
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| − | * In Ethiopian culture the word 'dukak' is used, which is believed to be an evil spirit that possesses people during their sleep. Some people believe this experience is linked to use of [[Khat]] ('Chat'). Khat users experience sleep paralysis when suddenly quitting chewing [[Khat]] after use for a long time.
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| − | * In [[Swahili speaking East Africa]], it is known as 'jinamizi', which refers to a creature sitting on one's chest making it difficult for him/her to breathe. It is attributed to result from a person sleeping on his back. Most people also recall being strangled by this 'creature'. People generally survive these 'attacks'
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| − | === Europe ===
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| − | * In [[Hungary|Hungarian]] folk culture sleep paralysis is called "lidércnyomás" ("lidérc pressing") and can be attributed to a number of supernatural entities like "lidérc" (wraith), "boszorkány" (witch), "tündér" (fairy) or "ördögszerető" (demon lover).<ref>[http://mek.oszk.hu/02100/02115/html/3-1332.html lidérc], Magyar Néprajzi Lexikon, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1977, ISBN</ref> The word "boszorkány" itself stems from the Turkish root "bas-", meaning "to press".<ref>[http://mek.oszk.hu/02100/02115/html/1-925.html boszorkány], Magyar Néprajzi Lexikon, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1977, ISBN</ref>
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| − | * In [[Iceland]] folk culture sleep paralysis is generally called having a "[[Mara (folklore)|Mara]]". A [[goblin]] or a [[succubus]] (since it is generally female) believed to cause nightmares (the origin of the word 'Nightmare' itself is derived from an English cognate of her name). Other European cultures share variants of the same folklore, calling her under different names; Proto-Germanic: ''marōn''; Old English: ''mære''; German: ''Mahr''; Dutch: ''nachtmerrie''; Icelandic, Old Norse, Faroese, and Swedish: ''mara''; Danish: ''mare''; Norwegian: ''mare''; Old Irish: ''morrigain''; Croatian, Serbian, Slovene: ''môra''; Bulgarian, Polish: ''mara''; French: ''cauchemar''; Romanian: ''moroi''; Czech: ''můra''; Slovak: ''mora''. The origin of the belief itself is much older and goes back to the reconstructed Proto Indo-European root ''mora-'', an incubus, from the root ''mer-'' "to rub away" or "to harm".
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| − | * In [[Malta]], folk culture attributes a sleep paralysis incident to an attack by the "Haddiela" who is the wife of the "Hares", an entity in Maltese folk culture that haunts the individual in ways similar to a poltergeist.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} As believed in folk culture, to rid oneself of the Haddiela, one must place a piece of silverware or a knife under the pillow prior to sleep.
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| − | * In [[Greece]] and [[Cyprus]], it is believed that sleep paralysis occurs when a ghost-like creature or Demon named Mora, Vrachnas or Varypnas (Greek: Μόρα, Βραχνάς, Βαρυπνάς) tries to steal the victim's speech or sits on the victim's chest causing asphyxiation.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}}
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| − | | |
| − | === Americas ===
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| − | * During the [[Salem witch trials]] several people reported nighttime attacks by various alleged witches including [[Bridget Bishop]] that may have been the result of sleep paralysis.<ref>[http://www.justiceatsalem.com/Cooke%20justice%20text%20100109.pdf Justice at Salem] ''William H. Cooke''</ref>
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| − | * In Mexico, it is believed that this is caused by the spirit of a dead person. This ghost lies down upon the body of the sleeper, rendering him unable to move. People refer to this as "Subirse el Muerto" (Dead Person on you).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/575017.html |title = ¿Has sentido que se te sube el muerto? | publisher = El Universal | date= February 6, 2009}}</ref>
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| − | * In many parts of the Southern United States, the phenomenon is known as a "[[hag]]", and the event is said to often be a sign of an approaching tragedy or accident.{{Citation needed|reason=needs to ref published folklorist research|date=October 2011}}
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| − | * In [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]], it is known as the 'Old Hag'.<ref name="OldHag">{{Cite book|author=Firestone, M.|title=The "Old Hag": sleep paralysis in Newfoundland|work=The Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology|year=1985|chapter=Section 8|pages=47–66}}</ref> In island folklore, the Hag can be summoned to attack a [[third party]], like a [[curse]]. In his 1982 book, ''The Terror that Comes in the Night'', [[David J. Hufford]] writes that in local [[culture of Newfoundland and Labrador|culture]] the way to call the Hag is to recite the [[Lord's Prayer]] backwards.
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| − | * In contemporary western culture the phenomenon of supernatural assault are thought{{by whom|date=November 2011}} to be the work of what are known as [[shadow people]]. Victims report primarily three different entities, a man with a hat, the old hag noted above and a hooded figure.<ref>Adler, Shelley R. (2011). Sleep Paralysis: Night-mares, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection. New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0813548869</ref> A flood of calls took place on the popular radio show ''[[Coast to Coast AM]]'', hosted by George Noory, when the subject was introduced. Sleep paralysis is known to involve a component of hallucination in 20% of the cases, which may explain these sightings. It is also believed that the phenomenon of reported [[alien abduction]] is caused by sleep paralysis where the hallucination of aliens has been generated by 20th and 21st century [[science fiction]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.skepdic.com/sleepparalysis.html |title= Sleep Paralysis|publisher = The Skeptics Dictionary}}</ref>
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| − | *Several studies have shown that African-Americans may be predisposed to isolated sleep paralysis also known as "the witch is riding you" or "the haint is riding you".<ref name="pmid6737506"/> In addition, other studies have shown that African-Americans who have frequent episodes of isolated sleep paralysis, i.e., reporting having one or more sleep paralysis episodes per month coined as "sleep paralysis disorder," were predisposed to having panic attacks.<ref name="pmid3746934">{{cite journal |author=Bell CC, Dixie-Bell DD, Thompson B |title=Further studies on the prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis in black subjects |journal=Journal of the National Medical Association |volume=78 |issue=7 |pages=649–659 |year=1986|pmid=3746934 |pmc=2571385}}</ref> This finding has been replicated by other independent researchers.<ref name="pmid15881272">{{cite journal |author=Paradis CM, Friedman S |title=Sleep Paralysis in African Americans with Panic Disorder |journal=Transcultural psychiatry |volume=43 |issue=4 |pages=692–694 |year=2006 |pmid=15881272 |isbn=3461505050720 |doi=10.1177/1363461505050720}}</ref><ref name="pmid7982696">{{cite journal |author=Friedman S, Paradis CM, Hatch M |title=Characteristics of African-Americans and white patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia |journal=Hospital and Community Psychiatry |volume=45 |issue=8 |pages=798–803 |year=1994 |pmid=7982696}}</ref>
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| − | | |
| − | ==See also==
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| − | * [[Amitriptyline]]
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| − | * [[Hypnagogia]]
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| − | * [[Hypnopompic]]
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| − | * [[Seroquel]]
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| − | | |
| − | ==Notes==
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| − | {{Reflist|30em}}
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| − | | |
| − | ==References==
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| − | * Adler, Shelley R. (2011). Sleep Paralysis: Night-mares, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection. New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0813548869
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| − | * Culhane-Pera, Kathie (2003). Healing by Heart: Clinical and Ethical Case Stories of Hmong Families and Western Providers. Vanderbilt University Press.
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| − | *Bower, Bruce (July 9, 2005). "[http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050709/bob9.asp Night of the Crusher]." ''Science News''.
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = Conesa | first1 = J. | year = 2000 | title = Geomagnetic, cross-cultural and occupational faces of sleep paralysis: An ecological perspective | url = | journal = Sleep and Hypnosis | volume = 2 | issue = 3| pages = 105–111 }}
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = Conesa | first1 = J. | year = 2002 | title = Isolated Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming: Ten-year longitudinal case study and related dream frequencies, types, and categories | url = | journal = Sleep and Hypnosis | volume = 4 | issue = 4| pages = 132–143 }}
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| − | * Conesa, J. (2003). Sleep Paralysis Signaling (SPS) As A Natural Cueing Method for the Generation and Maintenance of Lucid Dreaming. Presented at The 83rd Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association, May 1–4, 2003 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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| − | * Conesa-Sevilla, Jorge (2004). Wrestling With Ghosts: A Personal and Scientific Account of Sleep Paralysis. Pennsylvania: Xlibris/Randomhouse.
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| − | * Cooke, William H.. ''[http://www.justiceatsalem.com Justice at Salem: Reexamining the Witch Trials].'' Undertaker Press, Annapolis. 2009 ISBN 1-59594-322-6
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = The | first1 = Firestone M. | author-separator =, | author-name-separator= | year = 1985 | title = Old Hag": sleep paralysis in Newfoundland | url = | journal = The Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology | volume = 8 | issue = | pages = 47–66 }}
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = Fukuda | first1 = K | last2 = Miyasita | first2 = A | last3 = Inugami | first3 = M | last4 = Ishihara | first4 = K. | author-separator =, | author-name-separator= | year = 1987 | title = High prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis: kanashibari phenomenon in Japan | url = | journal = Sleep | volume = 10 | issue = 3| pages = 279–286 | pmid = 3629091 }}
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| − | * Hartmann E. The nightmare: the psychology and biology of terrifying dreams. New York:Basic,1984.
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| − | * Hufford D.J. The terror that comes in the night: an experience-centered study of supernatural assault traditions. Philadelphia:University of Pennsylvania Press, 1982
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| − | * {{cite journal | pmid = 8321596 | last1 = Kettlewell | author-separator =, | first1 = N | author-name-separator= | last2 = Lipscomb | first2 = S | last3 = Evans | first3 = E | title = Differences in neuropsychological correlates between normals and those experiencing "Old Hag Attacks" | journal = Perceptual and motor skills| volume=76 | issue=3 Pt 1 | year=1993 | month=June | pages=839–45; discussion 846}}
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| − | * {{cite journal | doi = 10.1007/BF00052448 | last1 = Ness | first1 = RC. | author-separator =, | author-name-separator= | year = 1978 | title = The Old Hag" phenomenon as sleep paralysis: a bicultural interpretation. Culture | url = | journal = Medicine and Psychiatry | volume = 2 | issue = | pages = 15–39 }}
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = Ohayon | first1 = MM | last2 = Zulley | first2 = J | last3 = Guilleminault | first3 = C | last4 = Smirne | first4 = S. | year = 1999 | title = Prevalence and pathologic associations of sleep paralysis in the general population | url = | journal = Neurology | volume = 52 | issue = 6| pages = 1194–1200 | pmid = 10214743 }}
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| − | * Sagan, Carl (1997). ''The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark''.
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| − | * Schneck JM. Sleep paralysis and microsomatognosia with special reference to hypnotherapy. The ''International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis'' 1977; XXV:72-77.
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| − | * {{cite journal | last1 = Takeuchi | first1 = T | last2 = Miyasita | first2 = A | last3 = Sasaki | first3 = Y | last4 = Inugami | first4 = M | last5 = Fukuda | first5 = K. | author-separator =, | author-name-separator= | year = 1992 | title = Isolated sleep paralysis elicited by sleep interruption | url = | journal = American Sleep Disorders Association and Sleep Research Society | volume = 15 | issue = | pages = 217–225 }}
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html Sleep information and links] from Stanford University
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| − | * [http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/S_P.html Sleep Paralysis and Associated Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Experiences] from University of Waterloo
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| − | * [http://www.csicop.org/doubtandabout/sleep/ Waking Up to Sleep Paralysis]
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| − | {{SleepSeries2}}
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Sleep Paralysis}}
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| − | [[Category:Sleep physiology]]
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| − | [[Category:Sleep disorders]]
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| − | [[Category:Neuropsychology]]
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| − | [[ar:شلل النوم]] | + | [[Category:Medical terms]] |
| − | [[ca:Paràlisi del son]] | + | [[Category:Conditions]] |
| − | [[cs:Spánková paralýza]]
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| − | [[da:Søvnparalyse]]
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| − | [[de:Bewegungsunfähigkeit im Schlaf]]
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| − | [[el:Παράλυση ύπνου]]
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| − | [[es:Parálisis del sueño]]
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| − | [[fa:فلج خواب]]
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| − | [[fr:Paralysie du sommeil]]
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| − | [[ko:가위눌림]]
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| − | [[it:Paralisi nel sonno]]
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| − | [[he:שיתוק שינה]]
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| − | [[lt:Miego paralyžius]]
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| − | [[hu:Alvási bénulás]]
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| − | [[ms:Kelumpuhan tidur]]
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| − | [[nl:Slaapverlamming]]
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| − | [[ja:金縛り]]
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| − | [[no:Søvnparalyse]]
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| − | [[pl:Porażenie przysenne]]
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| − | [[pt:Paralisia do sono]]
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| − | [[ru:Сонный паралич]]
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| − | [[simple:Sleep paralysis]]
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| − | [[sr:Paraliza sna]]
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| − | [[su:Eureup-eureup]]
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| − | [[fi:Unihalvaus]]
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| − | [[sv:Sömnparalys]]
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| − | [[ta:துயில் வாதம்]]
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| − | [[th:ผีอำ]]
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| − | [[tr:Uyku felci]]
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| − | [[vi:Bóng đè]]
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| − | [[zh:睡眠瘫痪症]]
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Physiologically, sleep paralysis is closely related to REM atonia, the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Sleep paralysis occurs either when falling asleep, or when awakening. When it occurs upon falling asleep, the person remains aware while the body shuts down for REM sleep, and it is called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called hypnopompic or postdormital. The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes, with some rare cases being hours, "by which the individual may experience panic symptoms" (described below). As the correlation with REM sleep suggests, the paralysis is not entirely complete; use of EOG traces shows that eye movement is still possible during such episodes.
In addition, the paralysis may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations, perceived deafening loud noise and an acute sense of danger. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual because of the vividness of such hallucinations. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful or dream-like objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters. Some authors have warned of the possible misconnection between child sexual abuse and hypnagogic/pompic phenomena and have noted that some clients after having described such an event to a fortune teller or psychic that the psychic may have suggested CSA.
In surveys from Canada, China, England, Japan and Nigeria, 20% to 60% of individuals reported having experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. A study conducted by Sedaghat-Hamedani F. et al. has investigated the prevalence of sleep paralysis among Iranian medical students. 24.1% of students reported experiencing sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. Comparable results were reported among Japanese, Nigerian, Kuwaiti, Sudanese and American students.<
Some reports read that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include:
Treatment starts with patient education about sleep stages and about the muscle atonia that is typically associated with REM sleep. It is recommended that patients be evaluated for narcolepsy if symptoms persist.
