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Sleep paralysis




Sleep paralysis does not harm your body, but not being able to move can be very frightening.


Why does sleep paralysis happen?


Sometimes, sleep paralysis can be a symptom of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a relatively rare sleep disorder that causes a person to fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly, disrupting their normal sleep pattern.

Other risk factors for sleep paralysis include:

  • sleep deprivation
  • a possible family tendency towards the condition

Who is affected?

Sleep paralysis may affect people of any age, but it is more common in teenagers and young adults.

Estimates of the number of people affected by sleep paralysis vary, but one study found that around 6% of people will experience at least one episode of sleep paralysis in their life.


Sleep paralysis does not affect your general physical health and the symptoms can often be improved by improving your sleep habits and sleeping environment.

In severe cases, your GP may suggest that you try taking a certain type of antidepressant medication for a month or two, to see if this improves the condition.

The main symptom of sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or talk. It usually happens when you are coming out of sleep, but can also happen when you are falling asleep.

As you will be completely aware of the fact that you cannot move, the experience can be very frightening. However, sleep paralysis is not dangerous to your health.

Sometimes, people hallucinate while their body is paralysed. This involves seeing or hearing things that are not there. However, this does not happen to everyone.

You may be unable to move for a short period of time, which could last from a few seconds to several minutes. After this, you will be able to move and speak as normal.


To understand what causes sleep paralysis, it is helpful to know what normally happens when you are asleep.

REM sleep

Sleep happens in cycles, each of which is split into two phases: non-REM and REM sleep. REM stands for rapid eye movement, as the eyes dart around during this stage.

The brain is very active in REM sleep and most dreams occur during this period. Also during this time, the body is paralysed, apart from the eyes and diaphragm (the main muscle used in breathing). It is thought that this occurs to stop us acting out the actions in our dreams.

Sleep paralysis happens when the normal muscular paralysis of REM sleep temporarily continues after you have woken up.

Risk factors

Certain factors make you more likely to get sleep paralysis:

  • sleep deprivation - sleep paralysis is more common in people who do not get enough sleep
  • irregular sleeping patterns - people with irregular schedules or who do shift work are more prone to sleep paralysis
  • age - it is more common in teenagers and young adults
  • narcolepsy - some people who have narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, also experience sleep paralysis
  • genetic link - sleep paralysis may have a family link, although this theory needs more research

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of sleep paralysis, and it is bothering you, make an appointment to see your GP.

Your GP will ask you about your sleeping habits, and may suggest ways in which you can improve your sleep.

They will reassure you that the condition is not harmful to your health, even though it may make you feel scared.

If your sleep paralysis is particularly severe, your GP may refer you to a specialist, usually a neurologist.

If your sleep paralysis may be part of another sleep-related condition, such as narcolepsy, your GP may refer you to a specialist in sleep disorders.

There are several ways that sleep paralysis can be treated.

Improving sleeping habits

Sleep paralysis is more common in people who are sleep deprived, so getting enough sleep could reduce the number of episodes of sleep paralysis you have. Most adults need around six to nine hours of sleep each night.

Keeping a regular sleeping schedule, where you go to bed and get up at roughly the same time, can also help.

Tips for improving your sleeping habits include:

  • making sure your bed is comfortable
  • exercising regularly, but not close to bedtime
  • cutting down on caffeine
  • not eating or drinking alcohol before bedtime
  • not smoking, as nicotine is a stimulant


If your sleep paralysis is particularly troublesome, you may be prescribed a short course of medication called a tricyclic antidepressant, such as clomipramine. Antidepressants are most commonly used to treat depression, but they can also treat severe sleep paralysis.

The medication works by altering the depth of REM sleep. This should stop the temporary paralysis when you wake up or fall asleep, and should also reduce the number of any hallucinations you have. The medication may be taken for a month or two to see if it improves your symptoms.

Tricyclic antidepressants are not addictive. Side effects of this type of antidepressant can include:

  • constipation
  • difficulty urinating
  • blurred vision
  • dry mouth
  • weight gain or weight loss
  • drowsiness
  • sweating
  • lightheadedness
  • skin rash

Contact your GP if these side effects do not ease within 7 to 10 days after starting the treatment.


Sometimes, sleep paralysis can be a symptom of the disorder narcolepsy, which causes sudden, unexpected "sleep attacks".
