Sleep paralysis is one of the phase states, which can lead to lucid dreaming or out-of-body experiences. However, it is often accompanied by terrifying hallucinations, and many cultures augment them with stories about demons and incubi. As a result, people are afraid of such episodes, and doctors are diligently searching for a cure.
A recent treatment course was tested in Pakistan. Medics noted that about 7.6% of the population has experienced sleep paralysis at least once; among students and people with mental disorders, the rate is almost one in three people. However, there is no perfect remedy: what works for one person may be ineffective for another. In addition, doctors often misdiagnose sleep paralysis as a physical condition, and people are afraid to seek help, assuming (sometimes justifiably) that they will be considered mentally ill.
The authors have created and tested a course that includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation practices, and relaxation. Doctors recommend the following steps:
1. Reinterpret the meaning of sleep paralysis. Regard it as a harmless event rather than a threat. It is important to eliminate fear and strong emotions.
2. During episodes, relax and distract yourself by shifting attention away from the hallucination and your inability to move. It is best to focus on a positive memory.
The course was applied over eight weeks, and as a result, the number of sleep paralysis episodes experienced by patients was reduced by half. The authors consider it crucial to train hospital staff in similar techniques to avoid misdiagnosing and stigmatizing those who “see demons in the morning.”
Have you experienced sleep paralysis? What do you do during episodes?
The preprint of the article was published in October 2023 on PsyArXiv.
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