One of the worst feelings is being awake in bed but unable to move your body or even make a sound. This could happen when you fall asleep or wake up. It might feel like someone is pressing down on you or pressure on your chest. This condition is called sleep paralysis, and it is often accompanied with feelings of fear, and anxiety, and may even lead to hallucinations. Let’s look at some myths about sleep paralysis and debunk them.
Myths About Sleep Paralysis
It doesn’t help that people spread huge myths about sleep paralysis that make the condition sound even scarier than it actually is. There are a lot of conditions and outside issues that can influence someone getting sleep paralysis. Below, your local sleep doctor in NYC will discuss and debunk 5 big myths about sleep paralysis to help you understand this condition more deeply. Remember that it is possible to stop the nightmares!
Myth 1: Stress Cannot Cause Sleep Paralysis
Recent research has shown that sleep paralysis can be linked to stress in patients suffering from PTSD. Similar results were found for those with depression, social anxiety, or generalized stress. This raises the question: What comes first? Which is more important, the sleep problems or stress? Which is more dangerous?
If you experience sleep paralysis quite often, it is a good idea that you visit your doctor. Stress can cause a lot of damage to the body and disrupt your natural sleep habits. Talking to your doctor about improving your sleeping hygiene is the best way to avoid further sleep paralysis.
Myth 2: There Is Only One Type of Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a nightmare enough on its own, but did you know that there are actually two different types of sleep paralysis? It can depend on how frequently you experience this condition and other factors that might contribute to you feeling this way:
Isolated paralysis is sleep paralysis that happens every so often but not on a recurrent basis enough to establish some sort of pattern.
Recurrent Sleep Paralysis can be experienced in multiple episodes and happen frequently throughout life.
Professional tests can determine whether or not you are suffering from one or both types of sleep paralysis in order to prescribe the best treatment moving forward.
Myth 3: Sleep Paralysis is Uncommon
Although estimates vary, researchers estimate that approximately 8% of people will experience sleep paralysis at one time or another. There is not much data on how many episodes occur again among these individuals.
Although sleep paralysis can happen at any age, the first signs are often seen in childhood or adolescence. Episodes may become more frequent in the 20s or 30s after they start in the teenage years.
Myth 4: Sleep Paralysis is Very Serious
Sleep paralysis isn’t a serious condition for most people. It is considered a benign condition that rarely causes significant health problems. An estimated 10% of people experience more frequent or troublesome episodes, which can make sleep paralysis particularly distressing. They may have negative thoughts about sleeping, which can lead to reduced sleep time or anxiety. Excessive sleepiness can have negative consequences on a person’s overall health.
Stop Sleep Paralysis with the Right Treatment Today
Sleep paralysis can be a scary condition, especially if you are under a lot of stress. The stories that people tell about it make it seem even scarier. However, it is important to understand what is real and what isn’t. Get in touch with your top experts at sleep MD NYC to schedule a personal consultation to assess your sleep needs. You can invest in professional sleep paralysis treatment in NYC when you take the first step in ending the nightmares today.
