Trapped in a nightmare: The hidden struggle that is sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move or speak. It happens when you pass between stages of wakefulness and sleep. [iStockphoto]

Over the years, Simon Mwangi has been struggling with sleep disorder.

Mwangi claims he has been experiencing frightening dreams and wakes up weak and tired. The condition, he says, gets worse when he doesn’t chew khat.

The description of his experience only relates to a scene in horror movies.

In most cases, he notes that he cannot move his muscles while trying to wake up or fall asleep.

He says he often gets this feeling like hurtling down from the 15th floor of a tall building or even being strangled by some strange forces.

“I am always afraid of sleeping if I don’t chew miraa because of the scary episodes and nightmares. The dream feels like I’m in a horror environment, I might feel like someone is strangling me,” Mwangi says.

He adds that sometimes he is forced to chew throughout the week to avoid sleep paralysis.

Leah Apwopi, another victim of the disorder, says the substance saves her from experiencing nightmares.

Changing sleeping time, she adds, makes her experience visions.

“On days that I don’t chew am normally forced to sleep early, so the change in time to me is what gives me sleeping paralysis, “she poses.

On the other hand, Kevin Wekesa, who fly frequently says different time zones affect his sleeping pattern causing him to have sleep paralysis.

While the three have considered it part of their life, studies have revealed that it is a disorder. The condition mostly occurs in people who have narcolepsy or sleep apnea, or other environmental factors such as jet lag, change in sleeping patterns or medication. But it can affect anyone.

Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move or speak. It happens when you pass between stages of wakefulness and sleep.

One may be awake but cannot move, speak or open your eyes. You may also feel like someone is in your room, like something is pushing you down or even frightened These episodes usually last one or two minutes and are often frightening.

In most cases, episodes end on their own, but occasionally are interrupted by another person’s touch or voice, or by intense effort, a move that overpowers atonic.

Dr Pamela Kaithuru, a mental health expert, says sleep is very important as it allows the body to rejuvenate well.

Kaithuru adds that sleep occurs in four cycles that have been proven scientifically beginning with light sleep to the heavy.

Sleep cycles

The President of The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) Kenya, explains that the first phase of sleeping begins as one lies to sleep or takes a rest and takes about five to ten minutes. At this stage, one is half awake and half asleep.

“At this stage, the body registers that you are about to sleep,” she says.

In the second stage, one enters a bit of light-deep sleep which takes around 20 minutes. The heart rate here, she notes, can be a bit slow, breathing a bit low, and temperatures drop slightly as brain activity slows.

The third stage, she says, occurs within 40 minutes of sleep and a person is almost in a very sleepy stage. At this stage, she adds, it becomes difficult for one to wake up and the body’s vital organs are slow.

The body at the third stage is restoring its immunity and getting more strengthened.

Irregular patterns

In the fourth stage, the sleep cycle takes longer and here, one appears to be paralysed since the body is so relaxed. The eyes are moving a bit faster and the breathing becomes a bit regular as the heart rate increases as one goes back to the first stage.

She says that the brain at the fourth stage is between sleeping and waking up.

 “At this stage, one is almost picking things that are happening, but still in a place of paralysis,” she said amid laughter.

The four cycles keep repeating themselves and may occur four to six times in a night.

“When we talk about sleep paralysis, this is when one can temporarily move or speak, but they are in between sleep and waking up,” she adds.

Some people can even hallucinate.  Some, she notes, would even consciously hear their phone ring and think they reached out to pick it up only to realise nothing like that happened.

 She adds that others would seem to hear and feel the presence of someone in their room or pressure asserted on them, and others develop some fear and almost panic. People with irregular sleep patterns, and those who use certain types pd drugs, Dr Kaithuru says, tend to experience sleep paralysis often.

But she also warns that children should be kept off horror movies at night.

The expert also says that people should develop a healthy sleeping habit, have regular sleep patterns and avoid using phone for long, while in bed.

She said there is a need to create awareness as it can be a sign of sleep disorder. “People should be able to plan for their sleep and not wait until the body gives up. It’s good to have a pattern saying ‘this is how I do it. Reduce stress,” she stresses.

She says there is a need to address substance use disorders.

She also calls on individuals to seek professional help as substance use can lead to a sleep disorders.