Sleep Paralysis

A Nightmarish Nocturnal Experience

1. How many people suffer from sleep paralysis according to research?


2. Sleep paralysis is a type of what, and occurs when what lines are blurred?


3. When is the most common time for paralysis to occur?



4. Why is the NREM part of the sleep cycle important for your body?


5. What are the three categories of sleep paralysis? Briefly explain each in your own words.


6. Name three causes of sleep paralysis.



7. What are people unable to do during sleep paralysis?



8. What is believed to exacerbate people’s fear when experiencing sleep paralysis?



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 Sleep Paralysis A Nightmarish Nocturnal Experience
9. Who is Lilith and what is her role in sleep paralysis?


10. Why is it often believed that so many people worldwide have encountered The Man in
the Hat during their hallucinations?


Extension
• Why do you think sleep paralysis is more commonly talked about nowadays?
• Are there any myths, legend or folktales that you have heard of? What are they? How
did they make you feel when you first heard them? Did you believe in them?
• Do you think there is any harm in terrifying tales being told for centuries in cultural
folklore?

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Sleep Paralysis A Nightmarish Nocturnal
Experience - Answers
1. How many people suffer from sleep paralysis according to research?
Four out of ten.
2. Sleep paralysis is a type of what, and occurs when what lines are blurred?
It is a type of parasomnia. It occurs when the lines between sleep and wakefulness
are blurred.
3. When is the most common time for paralysis to occur?
During hypnopompic sleep.
4. Why is the NREM part of the sleep cycle important for your body?
It is the time when your body is able to rest and restore itself.
5. What are the three categories of sleep paralysis? Briefly explain each in your own words.
• Intruder hallucinations: The feeling of a physical presence in your room. May hear
sounds like footsteps, banging and rattling handles.
• Incubus hallucinations: The feeling of something sitting on your chest causing
breathing difficulties and sensations of smothering or choking.
• Vestibular-motor hallucinations: The feeling of falling, spinning, flying or other out
of body experiences.
6. Name three causes of sleep paralysis.
Any three from the following:
• Lack of sleep.
• Those suffering from stress and associated mental issues.
• Inconsistent sleep patterns.
• Sleeping on your back.
• Suffering from other sleep problems.
7. What are people unable to do during sleep paralysis?
People are unable to move, speak, shout out or wake up.
8. What is believed to exacerbate people’s fear and terror when experiencing sleep paralysis?
It is believed by experts that people believing the folklore, ancient myths and tales
can exacerbate people’s fear around sleep paralysis.
9. Who is Lilith and what is her role in sleep paralysis?
Lilith is a she-demon from Judaic Mythology in 2400 BC. It is believed that she
preyed on pregnant women.
10. Why is it often believed that so many people worldwide have encountered The Man in
the Hat during their hallucinations?
Because people get caught up in the legend and become influenced by the creepy
tales.