Thread by @AVONHMO

Imagine waking up in the morning but when you try to get out of bed, you can't move. It's like your mind is awake, your eyes are open but your body is still sleeping.

Scary, right? That's sleep paralysis.

Here's why it happens and what you can do about it.
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What is sleep paralysis?

This is a short period between sleep and wakefulness where you’re unable to move or speak.

While sleep paralysis is frightening and seems rare, it's more common than you may realize.
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During an episode of sleep paralysis, you're entirely aware of what's going on around you but you can't move or physically interact with your environment.
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Researchers aren't entirely sure why sleep paralysis happens but some believe it's linked to REM sleep.

One theory is that there’s some crossover with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as dream sleep.

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During REM sleep we are muscle-atonic, which means we’re essentially paralyzed. It’s believed to be an evolutionary action that occurred to protect us from hurting ourselves while we’re dreaming.

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Essentially, some scientists believe sleep paralysis may happen when your brain wakes up from REM sleep, but your body is still in REM mode.

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Although episodes of sleep paralysis can feel like an eternity, they commonly last for just a few seconds, or up to one or two minutes. The episodes can end on their own, or when you are touched or moved.

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In rare cases, sleep paralysis can cause dream-like sensations or hallucinations.

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What causes sleep paralysis?

No one knows the exact cause but existing research shows it has been linked to the following:

-Not getting enough sleep
-Having an irregular sleep schedule
-Mental stress
-Sleeping on your back
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Sleep deprivation or episodes of high stress may make you particularly susceptible to sleep paralysis.
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Sleep paralysis may also be a symptom of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes severe, excessive daytime sleepiness. It may also be a sign that you have sleep apnea or periodic limb movement disorder, in which your legs twitch or jerk during sleep.

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Other factors that can contribute to sleep paralysis include drinking alcohol before bed and even taking certain medications that suppress REM sleep like antidepressants or mood stabilizers like lithium.

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How to treat sleep paralysis

Preventing or treating sleep paralysis starts with practising good sleep hygiene.

The best advice for avoiding sleep paralysis is to make sure you get enough total sleep time.

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With the amount of distractions and societal demands, sleep deprivation has become a significant problem for all age groups. On average, most adults need about eight hours a night.

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Also, make sure your sleep is regular and happening at the same time every day. It's not just eight hours whenever you can get it.

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Avoiding stress as much as possible or taking steps to minimize stress may also help lessen the frequency of sleep paralysis if you’re predisposed to it. Most of the time, though, sleep paralysis occurs so rarely that treatment is not needed.

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However, if your sleep paralysis occurs frequently and disturbs your quality of life, it may be time to see a doctor, who can rule out or diagnose other sleep issues and get you the help you need.

Do have a great evening.

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