Is it normal to have strange dreams during sleep paralysis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have started having sleep paralysis four years back. Back then, I was able to open my eyes and was not able to move my body and speak. Whenever I used to have sleep paralysis, I used to see people torturing me. As if they are trying to harm and kill me. When I first had sleep paralysis for every single day, I changed my room, my bed, my sleeping schedule.

After that, I used to have sleep paralysis only after some months of gap. But recently I started having it daily. And I always see people harming me and trying to kill me when I have sleep paralysis. I am not able to sleep. I feel like what is going on in my dreams is a reality. I feel like I am in pain. After I try to wake up from that dream. I am unable to sleep. Even if I try to sleep, I again face the same thing. So is it normal to have these types of dreams while you have sleep paralysis at the same time? This is what going on. I cannot figure out. Please help me with this.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It can be frightening to experience sleep paralysis but generally it is not harmful and can occur in otherwise healthy people. It is common to have hallucinatory experiences like seeing people who wish to harm you when you have sleep paralysis. Do you have any other symptoms? Is there a family history of sleep paralysis? Usually sleep paralysis gets better gradually over time. Follow these simple suggestions as wel

1) Try to get adequate sleep (approximately six to eight hours).

2) Try to have a good sleep routine

3) Avoid heavy meals just before bed time.

4) Have regular exercises.

5) Try yoga, mediation, and relaxation exercises.

Since you are reporting regular episodes of sleep paralysis, you need to consult a sleep specialist or a neurologist who can examine you, to rule out conditions like narcolepsy and offer further advice. Sometimes medication may be needed in severe cases. I hope this helps