Editing Sleep paralysis (section)

{{Short description|Sleeping disorder}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
{{For|the normal sleep behavior of body paralysis during dreams|Rapid eye movement sleep}}
{{redirect|Night demon|the American heavy metal band|Night Demon (band)}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Sleep paralysis
| image         = File:Henry Fuseli (1741–1825), The Nightmare, 1781.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = ''[[The Nightmare]]'' by Swiss artist [[Henry Fuseli]] (1781) is thought to be a depiction of sleep paralysis perceived as a [[demon]]ic visitation.
| field         = {{Flatlist|
*[[Psychiatry]]
*[[sleep medicine]]
}}
| symptoms      = {{Flatlist|
*Awareness but an inability to move during waking or falling asleep
*hallucinations<ref name=Sharp2016/><ref name=Av2011/>
}}
| complications = [[Nyctophobia]]
| onset         = 
| duration      = No more than a couple of minutes<ref name=Av2011/>
| causes        = 
| risks         = {{Flatlist|
*[[Narcolepsy]]
*[[obstructive sleep apnea]]
*alcohol use
*[[sleep deprivation]]<ref name=Sharp2016/><ref name=Av2011/>
}}
| diagnosis     = Based on description<ref name=Av2011/>
| differential  = {{Flatlist|
*[[Narcolepsy]]
*[[atonic seizure]]
*[[hypokalemic periodic paralysis]]
*[[night terror]]<ref name=Sharp2016/><ref name=Av2011/>
}}
| prevention    = 
| treatment     = {{Flatlist|
*Reassurance
*[[sleep hygiene]]
*[[cognitive behavioral therapy]]
*[[antidepressants]]<ref name=Sharp2016/>
}}
| medication    = 
| prognosis     = 
| frequency     = 8–50%<ref name=Av2011/>
| deaths        = None; physically harmless<ref name=":11" />
}}

<!-- Definition and symptoms -->
'''Sleep paralysis''' is a state, [[hypnopompic|during waking up]] or [[hypnagogic|falling asleep]], in which a person is conscious but in a complete state of full-body [[paralysis]].<ref name=Sharp2016>{{cite journal|last1=Sharpless|first1=BA|title=A clinician's guide to recurrent isolated sleep paralysis.|journal=Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment|date=2016|volume=12|pages=1761–67|doi=10.2147/NDT.S100307|pmid=27486325|pmc=4958367 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=Av2011>{{cite book|last1=Avidan|first1=Alon Y.|last2=Zee|first2=Phyllis C.|title=Handbook of Sleep Medicine|date=2011|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-1-4511-5385-9|page=Chapter 5|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D66s7fxc-0cC&pg=PT113|language=en}}</ref> During an episode, the person may [[hallucination|hallucinate]] (hear, feel, or see things that are not there), which often results in [[fear]].<ref name=Sharp2016/><ref name=":11">{{cite web |date=2017-10-23 |title=Sleep paralysis |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-paralysis/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=nhs.uk |language=en}}</ref> Episodes generally last no more than a few minutes.<ref name=Av2011/> It can reoccur multiple times or occur as a single episode.<ref name=Sharp2016/><ref name=":11" />

<!-- Cause -->
The condition may occur in those who are otherwise healthy or those with [[narcolepsy]], or it may run in families as a result of specific [[genetics|genetic]] changes. The condition can be triggered by [[sleep deprivation]], [[psychological stress]], or abnormal [[sleep cycles]]. The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a dysfunction in [[REM sleep]].<ref name="Av2011" /> Diagnosis is based on a person's description. Other conditions that can present similarly include narcolepsy, [[atonic seizure]], and [[hypokalemic periodic paralysis]].<ref name=Av2011/>
<!-- Treatments -->
Treatment options for sleep paralysis have been poorly studied. It is recommended that people be reassured that the condition is common and generally not serious. Other efforts that may be tried include [[sleep hygiene]], [[cognitive behavioral therapy]], and [[antidepressants]].<ref name=Sharp2016/>

<!-- Epidemiology and history -->
Between 8% to 50% of people experience sleep paralysis at some point during their lifetime.<ref name=Av2011 /><ref name=Bri2011>{{cite journal|last1=Sharpless|first1=Brian A.|last2=Barber|first2=Jacques P.|title=Lifetime prevalence rates of sleep paralysis: A systematic review|journal=Sleep Medicine Reviews|date=October 2011|volume=15|issue=5|pages=311–315|doi=10.1016/j.smrv.2011.01.007|pmid=21571556|pmc=3156892}}</ref> About 5% of people have regular episodes. Males and females are affected equally.<ref name=Av2011/> Sleep paralysis has been described throughout history. It is believed to have played a role in the creation of stories about [[alien abduction]] and other [[paranormal]] events.<ref name=Sharp2016/>