Med. praxi. 2020;17(4):250-252 [Neurol. praxi. 2019;20(1):54-56]

Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis

MUDr. Jitka Bušková, Ph.D., Mgr. Monika Kliková
Oddělení spánkové medicíny, Národní ústav duševního zdraví, Klecany
3 . lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha

Isolated sleep paralysis occurs in up to 7,6 % of general population, which makes it to be a common sleep disorder. Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) means REM (rapid eye movement) related parasomnia, which occurs recurrently during the transition between sleep and wake that means during falling asleep or awakening. It is a transient loss of speech and voluntary movement that affects limbs and trunk muscles, which is especially at the beginning of the accompanied by an intensive fear. This burdensome experience can be elevated by accompanying fearful dreamy delusions, so called hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations. Pathophysiological background of sleep paralysis is the continuing muscle atonia of REM sleep that persists until the full awakening. Current sleep medicine offers psychoterapeutic as well as farmacological treatment options.

Keywords: sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, REM sleep, treatment.

Published: September 25, 2020  Show citation

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Bušková J, Kliková M. Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis. Med. praxi. 2020;17(4):250-252.
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