What causes sleep paralysis in young adults?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 19-year-old male, and I am on no medication. When I try to go to sleep in the morning, after already being awake, if the temperature is too hot, my body shuts down, and I sometimes experience muscle spasms, but I can usually move at least one limb.

If I try hard enough, I always panic, but if I take enough deep breaths properly, my body jolts awake, and these occurrences get more serious each time they happen. It is not common, but it occurs often enough to be concerning.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where a person temporarily experiences an inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. Factors like irregular sleep patterns, stress, or disrupted sleep can contribute. Muscle spasms and panic may be associated with this.

The worsening frequency and severity you mentioned warrant a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional. They can consider your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and may recommend a sleep study to understand your sleep patterns better. If needed, they can provide appropriate guidance or refer you to a specialist.

I hope this helps.

Revert in case of queries.

Thank you.