Sleep paralysis caused by anxiety

Our body needs a regular recharging with necessary energy that is to be consumed during the day. Basically, it’s our good night sleep that influences our daily performances. We need between 5 to 9 hours of sleep during the night. For a good relaxation and recharging through the sleep we all need to have a routine, we should try to go to sleep at the same hour and wake up as soon as we feel the need to do that, in order to set our biological clock to a functional rhythm. Not doing this, and having bad sleeping habits will eventually lead to sleep disorders like insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, sleep paralysis or narcolepsy.

Sleep paralysis caused by anxiety can be characterized as the state of paralysis of your body, for about one or two minutes, and it is happening shortly after waking up or before falling asleep. We all know that stress is responsible for so many health disorders nowadays. It seems to have overpowered our natural protective system. Stress results in anxiety, and anxiety is related to psychological and physical processes. During the sleep, the brain activity goes through different stages: non-REM sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During the so-called NREM sleep our body produces few movements, we are breathing at a uniform rate and our eyes move slowly, while during the REM sleep our respiration rate and our blood pressure goes up and down. The REM sleep is the period of sleep when the dreaming takes place and the eyes move rapidly. During the REM sleep the body is in the state of paralysis, and the brain is controlling the muscles by sending signals to inhibit any muscle contraction (muscular atonia).

Sleep paralysis caused by anxiety is so frightening to a person because of the inability to move for a few minutes that seem like hours! This state is usually considered a disconnection between the brain and the body. When it involves a nightmare, this state of mind is called the Hallucinatory sleep paralysis. It can last as long as seven minutes, unlike the Common sleep paralysis that lasts for about two minutes. The Common sleep paralysis is happening during the REM sleep when our body cannot move and act out our dreams. The Hallucinatory sleep paralysis is more frightening, it can give the sensation of having someone else in the room, and although there is no physical harm involved, it causes much anxiety and fear to haunt you for life.

Reducing stress in our lives and getting enough sleep every night, can be a cure for this kind of a sleep disorders, including sleep paralyses caused by anxiety. You should always talk to your physician about these problems, and medication will not be administered but in severe cases. What all of us can do is to have a sleeping schedule; the basic rule for an eight-hour night sleep is important for all of us. It is advisable to exercise regularly and avoid drinking caffeine type products before going to bed. The best treatment is to know what causes this disorder and try not to be so afraid. Also it is advisable trying to move a finger or open your eyes and scream, it will help you wake up more rapidly.

We can conclude by saying that physical exercise, good eating habits and a positive thinking can be of great help in having a good night sleep!