A clinician's guide to recurrent isolated sleep paralysis
1Clinical Psychology Program, American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC, Arlington, VA, USA.
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
|August 4, 2016
Summary
Sleep paralysis involves waking during REM sleep atonia with hallucinations, a frightening experience. This review covers isolated sleep paralysis, its diagnosis, and treatments for practitioners.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Sleep paralysis is characterized by conscious awareness during REM sleep atonia, often with hallucinations.
- Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) occurs independently of other medical conditions like narcolepsy.
- Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) is a recognized sleep-wake disorder but often unknown to non-specialists due to its unusual nature and underreporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical and clinical literature on sleep paralysis for practitioners.
- To provide information on the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of ISP.
- To discuss diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and available treatments for sleep paralysis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical and clinical studies on sleep paralysis.
- Examination of assessment instruments for diagnosis.
- Discussion of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Growing literature base on ISP prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact.
- Availability of self-report and interview assessment instruments.
- Promising, yet under-supported, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments exist.
Conclusions:
- Practitioners need increased awareness and training regarding sleep paralysis.
- Accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis are crucial for effective management.
- Further research with larger, controlled trials is needed to support current treatment options for sleep paralysis.
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