Experiences and beliefs related to sleep paralysis among the general population of the twin cities: A cross-sectional study

Sleep paralysis (SP) is a rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnia that occurs during the transition between wakefulness and sleep. During this brief state, a person is conscious but unable to move or speak, often experiencing hallucinations. It is ‘isolated’ when it occurs without other symptoms of narcolepsy or sleep disorders. Despite its prevalence, much remains unknown about its clinical features and associated beliefs. This study examines the frequency of self-reported SP experiences and its associated demographic characteristics, along with participants' beliefs about the condition. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among visitors at a shopping mall, using the Unusual Sleep Experiences Questionnaire (USEQ) to assess the features of SP episodes and the common beliefs surrounding them. A total of 350 participants were surveyed (mean age = 25.5 ± 9.30 years; 55.4 % females). Participants who experienced SP at least once in their life time (39.1 %) reported feeling pressure on their chest (67.2 %), an inability to open their eyes (71.5 %), and difficulty speaking (81.0 %) during the episode. The majority of the individuals reported having their first episode at a young age (16–20 years). Most people (24.5 %) were unaware that this condition was known as sleep paralysis, and many (23.5 %) thought that it was just ‘a dream’. Isolated sleep paralysis episodes are fairly prevalent, with many people experiencing their first episode at a young age. A typical episode entails a sense of pressure on the chest and difficulty in vocalizing. Misconceptions about the condition are common and wage further exploration. •Over a third of the participants reported experiencing sleep paralysis (SP) at least once in their lifetime.•The first episode of SP commonly occurred at a young age, between 16-20 years.•Tactile, auditory, and visual hallucinations were experienced, with an inability to speak most frequently reported.•Most participants were unaware of the term "sleep paralysis," and often associated it with dreams.•Changing sleep habits was the most common strategy reported to prevent future occurrences of SP.