Sleep Paralysis

Zaria Rosado
Dr. Welch
Psychology 101
10/17/15

Thesis
This paper will be on sleep paralysis, in what ways does it affect the
human brain and why does it happen. Sleep paralysis is a very common
disorder and can occur for many different reasons. For some sleep
paralysis will never happen, once in a lifetime or for some everyday.
There are many theories surrounding the topic of sleep paralysis but no
answer is for sure

About Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is being unable to speak or move upon waking up or
going to sleep. An episode of sleep paralysis can consist of not being
able to move your limbs, including your head, body, arms or legs.
Lasting seconds or minutes, you are not able to speak making the
person feel scared or anxious. Hallucinations can also be present for
some people. For some it could happen once a lifetime two to times, or
every day. I picked this topic because dreaming and the things that can
occur while your sleeping interest me most. Especially since someone
close has experienced sleep paralysis and it has been a topic of interest
in ways to cure or prevent it from happening again.

Data
It is said that the cause for sleep paralysis is an interruption of the REM stage also known as
rapid eye movement. There is four stages of sleep we go through each night after these four
stages there is another called REM, it is usually accompanied by dreams where as they are
most memorable. As well as an REM, muscles shutdown as you are no longer able to move
during this stage. If this stage is interrupted and said person is being woken up constantly
throughout REM stage it is said to have an effect on learning and memory. As well as
spending more time in the REM stage than usual. Sleep paralysis occurs when REM is not
finished and person experiencing sleep paralysis wakes up. You are brain is conscious while
REM is taking place, but your muscles will not be able to move. Waking during an REM stage
isn't the only cause for sleep paralysis. Sleep disorders and medications can also trigger
sleep paralysis.

4 stages of sleep including REM recur throughout the night

For the next section I interviewed a person who has

had a personal experience with sleep paralysis.

What is your name age and occupation?

My name is Isaiah Hollinsworth, 21, and a full time student
How long or how many times have you experienced sleep paralysis?
it has only happened 2 times
Do you remember what it felt like the 1st time experiencing it?
I do, the 1st time wasn't as bad as the 2nd time. It seemed to be a pretty normal day. I remember feeling
confused and scared, couldn't move at all.
What was the difference between the 1st and the second?
1st time I just couldn't move or talk, only my eyes moved, the 2nd time not only could I move or talk but I heard
people screaming and and a violent shaking as if I was in the center or an earthquake
Say it were to happen a 3rd time, how would you be aware that it is happening?
The feeling of being stuck would happen, a big strain for even the slightest movement
How long do these episodes usually last?
It feels like 5 to 10 minutes, the anxiety attack affects your perception of time.
Do you or any members of your family have any known sleep disorders?
My sister has sleep apnea

Conclusion
All in all sleep paralysis has not yet been studied enough to diagnose a
cure, It is on its way to becoming a well known sleep disorder that can
affect anyone's life by depriving them of sleep which everyone needs. In
the future I'd take more time to find more references with a familiar
project.

References
Branford, A. (2015, May 19). Sleep paralysis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment . In
http://m.livescience.com/50876-sleep-paralysis.html.
Sleep Paralysis- Diagnosis and Treatment . (2014). In
http://www.sleepeducation.com/sleep-disorders-by-category/parasomnias/sleepparalysis/diagnosis-treatment.
Feldman, R. (2012). Psychology and Your Life (2nd nd ed., pp. 128-131). N.p.: McGraw-Hill
Education