Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri

Sola dreaded going to sleep. Every other week while sleeping, she would wake up in the middle of the night, fully aware of her environment, but completely unable to move. While in that state, she would try to cry out for help, but no sound would come out. In a panic, her chest felt heavy, as if someone was sitting on it.

After what felt like an eternity, she would suddenly regain control of her body, trembling with fear.
When Sola mentioned to her mother, she was convinced it was a spiritual attack. And so off they went, to prayer houses, deliverance sessions and traditional remedies. While this gave short-lived reassurance, the experiences continued. She visited her family doctor who then suggested she see a sleep expert. It was at that visit she came to learn that what she was experiencing was a condition known as sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis is a common sleep disorder which is often interpreted through the lens of culture and religion as a spiritual encounter, witchcraft or an attack by unseen forces. It is however extremely important to understand that there is a medical explanation of this often frightening condition.
Sleep paralysis occurs when a person becomes conscious either while falling asleep or waking up, but the body remains temporarily “switched off.” During what is known as normal Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the brain naturally prevents our muscles from moving so that we do not physically act out our dreams. The brain occasionally wakes up before this muscle paralysis has completely worn off. The result is a brief period in which the mind is awake, the individual realises they are awake but the body cannot move.
These episodes usually last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and resolve on their own. During this time, many people experience intense fear. Some individuals may have vivid hallucinations, such as sensing someone in the room, hearing footsteps or voices or feeling pressure on the chest. These experiences can feel incredibly real and extremely overwhelming, making it understandable why many people conclude that something supernatural is happening.
While the condition can occur in anyone, it often happens more in persons who are sleep deprived, experiencing overwhelming stress, have irregular sleep schedules, who sleep on their backs or who have certain sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.
As terrifying as the condition is, it is generally harmless. The frequency of the episodes can be reduced significantly if sleep habits are improved upon. Habits such as having a regular sleep schedule, managing stress, avoiding caffeine and other stimulants, aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep and having a relaxing bedtime routine. If episodes become frequent and are accompanied by excessive daytime sleepiness, or are causing significant distress, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation.
With good understanding, we are reassured that sleep is meant for rest and relaxation and should never be a source of distress.
Remember there is no health without mental health.

Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri is a consultant Psychiatrist, Associate Lecture and Mental Health Advocate