Sleep paralysis consists of a period of inability to perform voluntary movements either at 
sleep onset (called hypnogogic or predormital form) or upon awakening (called hypnopompic or postdormtal form). Sleep paralysis is a common condition where people are paralyzed at the onset of sleep or upon waking; it may accompany vivid or terrifying hallucinations called hypnagogic hallucinations. Here are some steps to help you cope with sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis is a condition in which someone, most often lying in a supine (face up) position, about to drop off to sleep, or just upon awaking from sleep realizes that s/he is unable to move, or speak, or cry out. This may last a few seconds or several moments, occasionally longer. People frequently report feeling a ‘presence’ that is often described as malevolent, threatening, or evil. An intense sense of dread and terror is very common. The presence is likely to be vaguely felt or sensed just out of sight but thought to be watching or monitoring, often with intense interest, sometimes standing by, or sitting on the bed. On some occasions, the presence may attack, strangling and exerting crushing pressure on the chest.
Tips for Cope with Sleep Paralysis :
- Don’t stay up and move around until you are so tired you could fall asleep as soon as you sit down this can lead to sleep paralysis.
- Reduce stress.
- Eat healthy. Avoid going to bed hungry. Avoid caffeine 5 hours before sleep.
- Most episodes can be stopped by coughing the word ‘cough’ repeatedly. Although you may still go into another episode if you try to immediately go back to sleep. Coughing is both a voluntary and involuntary response, which such responses break the sleeping state.
- An improper sleeping schedule can be a cause of sleep paralysis. Try to get 8-10 hours of sleep every night at the same time of night every night, and sleep paralysis may go away.
- Concentrating on trying to move or “shake” yourself may break you out of it in no time.
- Sleep paralysis is most common while sleeping on your back. Try to avoid sleeping this way
- Try to avoid coffee or medications that affect your heart rate.
- Consider having a sleep study to diagnose whether the cause of the sleep paralysis may be sleep apnea. With proper treatment of a diagnosed sleep apnea condition, the sleep paralysis events may subside and/or disappear.
- Often you may be able to sense the onset of sleep paralysis. You may feel tense vibrations, a sudden movement that jolts him, or even a pitch black shade that slowly goes over his eyes. If you sense it coming you can do one of two things: 1) You can give in to the feeling, or 2)Try your best to fight it off with a strong will and determination.
-If you find you are experiencing paralysis as you are falling asleep try sitting up and staring at a bright light for a minute or so before lying down again. No one is sure why, but this does help some people.
-Always remember to relax because sleep paralysis last only a few seconds or minutes and will fade away momentarily.
Sources: http://www.wikihow.com , http://www.stanford.edu/
