Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a state that occurs while waking up or falling asleep, when a person is conscious but completely paralysed. Episodes may involve hallucinations and fear, usually last only a few minutes, and can recur. It may affect otherwise healthy people or those with narcolepsy, and may be triggered by sleep deprivation, psychological stress, or abnormal sleep cycles. The mechanism is thought to involve dysfunction in REM sleep.

Classification

Sleep disorder and parasomnia

Episode duration

Generally no more than a few minutes

Possible triggers

Sleep deprivation, psychological stress, or abnormal sleep cycles