Sleep Paralysis – Symptoms & Risk Factors

Symptoms

People with sleep paralysis may:

• Be unable to move their arms and legs, body, and head when falling asleep or waking up
• Have episodes that last from only seconds to a few minutes

It is also important to know if there is something else that is causing your sleep problems. They may be a result of one of the following:

• Another sleep disorder such as narcolepsy
• A medical condition
• Medication use
• A mental health disorder
• Substance abuse

Risk Factors

Sleep paralysis can affect men and women of any age group. The average age when it first occurs is 14 to 17 years. It is a fairly common sleep problem. Estimates of how many people have it vary widely from 5% to 40%. You may be more likely to have it if a relative also has it.

A lack of sleep can make you more likely to have sleep paralysis. It is also more likely if you have a sleep schedule that often changes. Mental stress may also be a factor. It seems to occur more often when you sleep on your back. It may also be related to any of the following factors:

• Bipolar disorder
• The use of certain medications
• Sleep related leg cramps