SLEEP PARALYSIS: WITCHCRAFT OR EXPLAINABLE BY MODERN MEDICINE by Dr. Meh Martin|Doctor JayBee's Blog

Sleep paralysis is when, during awakening or falling asleep, one is aware, but unable to move.
During an episode, one may hear, feel or see things that are not there. It often (if not always) results in fear.
Most people encounter this fairly common phenomenon, and my African brothers will bear with me that, we most at times attribute this to witchcraft.


“Witch man don press me for night” was a very common statement when I was growing up in rural Cameroon, reason why I decided to give this topic some attention.  This premise is actually as a result of sleep paralysis, or more often than not, >95% are due to it.
Many ‘witches’ and ‘wizards’ have been exiled, ostracized from communities and even burnt at the stake because they were accused of ‘pressing someone’ while they slept.
This write-up therefore thrives to throw more light on this condition so as to:

• Avoid pointing fingers at ‘witches’ when one experiences this common phenomenon.
• To achieve better understanding and avoid the fear when faced with an episode of sleep paralysis.

WHAT CAUSES SLEEP PARALYSIS
During sleep, the motor cortex is less active ( part of the brain that directs movement). This prevents us from acting out our dreams (more or less depending on the individual, reason why we still have some sleep walkers). 
For example, a boy dreaming that he is playing football will not smash his foot against the bed/wall when he kicks to score. This is because of the inhibition and decreased activity of the motor cortex. It is therefore my hypothesis that this decreased motor activity is exaggerated during sleep paralysis.

RISK FACTORS FOR SLEEP PARALYSIS
1. Narcolepsy (excessive uncontrolled daytime sleepiness)
2. Obstructive sleep apnea (breathing stops for short intervals during sleep)
3. Sleep deprivation
4. Alcohol use, especially excessive use.

Sleep paralysis is diagnosed from the description.

TREATMENT 
✔Reassurance 
✔Sleep hygiene
✔Cognitive behavioral therapy
✔Antidepressants.

Take home message: Sleep paralysis is a recognized medical condition and not due to witches or wizards ‘pressing you’.  

About the author

Dr. Meh Martin is a young Cameroonian graduate in Medicine  from the faculty of health Sciences of the University of Buea, Cameroon. He is passionate about scientific literature, soccer, surgery etc.
Anticipate more medical and science related articles on this blog from this brilliant creative writer with a great passion in science in general and medicine in particular .