Sleep disorders
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Bizarre Sleep Disorders
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep Paralysis
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s sleep paralysis, a frightening disorder that leaves one’s body frozen while their brain is fully awake. During this time, the person can experience vivid dream-like sensations or terrifying, often violent hallucinations. These are not dreams — the person is fully awake and conscious but unable to move or speak. Many people have reported the sensation of being attacked by a witch, called the Old Hag phenomenon.
Episodes tend to last from a few seconds up to one or two minutes, and end on their own or when the person is touched or moved. Not getting enough sleep or sleeping on one’s back may be a trigger.
By Erin Golden. Published October 29, 2013. Erin Golden is a writer based in Nebraska. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
