SLEEP PARALYSIS & THE OLD HAG
The night hag or old hag is the name given to a supernatural creature, commonly associated with the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. It is a phenomenon during which a person feels a presence of a supernatural malevolent being which immobilizes the person as if sitting on their chest or the foot of their bed.
The word "night-mare" or "nightmare" was used to describe this phenomenon before the word received its modern, more general meaning. Various cultures have various names for this phenomenon and/or supernatural character.
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| Sleep Paralysis has also been called Old Hag Syndrome in the past |
Sleep Paralysis
The original definition of sleep paralysis was codified by Samuel Johnson in his A Dictionary of the English Language as nightmare, a term that evolved into our modern definition. Such sleep paralysis was widely considered the work of demons, and more specifically incubi, which were thought to sit on the chests of sleepers.
In Old English the name for these beings was mare or mΓ¦re (from a proto-Germanic *marΕn, cf. Old Norse mara), hence comes the mare part in nightmare. The word might be etymologically cognate to Greek MarΕn (in the Odyssey) and Sanskrit MΔra.
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| Painter John Henry Fuseli's 'The Nightmare' |
The main symptom of sleep paralysis is being unable to move or speak during awakening.
Imagined sounds such as humming, hissing, static, zapping and buzzing noises are reported during sleep paralysis. Other sounds such as voices, whispers and roars are also experienced. It has also been known that one may feel pressure on their chest and intense pain in their head during an episode. These symptoms are usually accompanied by intense emotions such as fear and panic. People also have sensations of being dragged out of bed or of flying, numbness, and feelings of electric tingles or vibrations running through their body.
Sleep paralysis may include hallucinations, such as an intruding presence or dark figure in the room, suffocating or the individual feeling a sense of terror, accompanied by a feeling of pressure on one's chest and difficulty breathing.
Sleep paralysis is mainly diagnosed via clinical interview and ruling out other potential sleep disorders that could account for the feelings of paralysis. Several measures are available to reliably diagnose or screen (Munich Parasomnia Screening) for recurrent isolated sleep paralysis.
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| An evil presence in some cases a terrifying hag attempts to suffocate the victim |
Causes & Solutions
Several circumstances have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of sleep paralysis. These include insomnia, sleep deprivation, an erratic sleep schedule, stress, and physical fatigue.It is also believed that there may be a genetic component in the development of RISP (recurrent isolated sleep paralysis), because there is a high concurrent incidence of sleep paralysis in monozygotic twins. Sleeping in the supine (on your back) position has been found an especially prominent instigator of sleep paralysis.
Sleeping in the supine position is believed to make the sleeper more vulnerable to episodes of sleep paralysis because in this sleeping position it is possible for the soft palate to collapse and obstruct the airway. This is a possibility regardless of whether the individual has been diagnosed with sleep apnea or not. There may also be a greater rate of microarousals while sleeping in the supine position because there is a greater amount of pressure being exerted on the lungs by gravity.
While many factors can increase the risk for ISP (isolated sleep paralysis) or RISP, they can be avoided with minor lifestyle changes.
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| Sleeping on your back may increase your chances of sleep paralysis |
Epidemiology
In surveys from Canada, China, England, Japan and Nigeria, 20% to 60% of individuals reported having experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.
Approximately 36% of the general population that experiences isolated sleep paralysis develop it between 25 and 44 years of age.
Isolated sleep paralysis is commonly seen in patients that have been diagnosed with narcolepsy. Approximately 30–50% of people that have been diagnosed with narcolepsy have experienced sleep paralysis as an auxiliary symptom. A majority of the individuals who have experienced sleep paralysis have sporadic episodes that occur once a month to once a year. Only 3% of individuals experiencing sleep paralysis that is not associated with a neuromuscular disorder have nightly episodes.
Though no large trials have taken place which focus on the treatment of sleep paralysis, several drugs have promise in case studies. Two trials of GHB for people with narcolepsy demonstrated reductions in sleep paralysis episodes.
Pimavanserin has been proposed as a possible candidate for future studies in treating sleep paralysis.
The first published psychosocial treatment for recurrent isolated sleep paralysis was cognitive-behavior therapy for isolated sleep paralysis (CBT-ISP). It begins with self-monitoring of symptoms, cognitive restructuring of maladaptive thoughts relevant to ISP (e.g., "the paralysis will be permanent"), and psychoeducation about the nature of sleep paralysis.
Prevention techniques include ISP-specific sleep hygiene and the preparatory use of various relaxation techniques (e.g. diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation). Episode disruption techniques are first practiced in session and then applied during actual attacks. No controlled trial of CBT-ISP has yet been conducted to prove its effectiveness.
π Afraid to Sleep π
"What are shadow people and how are they connected to sleep paralysis?"
▪️ PARANORMAL ▪️ HAUNTINGS ▪️ CRYPTIDS ▪️
I really hate this part of paranormal stories. We have all had bad dreams but this is way way worse. Sleep paralysis is just awful, had it one time and that was quite enough!!!!
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