Frightening episodes of sleep paralysis will be triggered by stress and disrupted sleep patterns, a somnologist stated
Stress and despair may set off a situation often called “old hag” syndrome, or sleep paralysis, a Russian psychotherapist and somnologist Elena Kolesnichenko warned on Thursday.
In an interview with Moscow 24, Kolesnichenko defined that typically an individual wakes up with out having the ability to transfer or converse. This borderline state typically provokes a way of horror and hopelessness, feeling of bodily stress or the presence of a stranger within the room.
“Dream images are woven into reality. In most cases, they are frightening: mythical creatures, monsters. Because of this mystical effect, sleep paralysis is also called the ‘old hag’ syndrome,” the somnologist stated.
Sleep paralysis lasts between just a few seconds and two minutes, and is often innocent, Kolesnichenko stated. In uncommon instances, nonetheless, the situation is likely to be associated to psychological problems.
“Sleep paralysis can be triggered by stress and depression. The risk also increases in those who often overwork and who have disrupted sleeping patterns. It is known that those who sleep on their back are more likely to experience the syndrome,” she stated.
Smoking, consuming alcohol and medicines also can contribute to the event of the ‘outdated hag’ syndrome, the doctor added.
Therefore, in Kolesnichenko’s opinion, a correct day by day routine, absence of unhealthy habits and stress discount are key in stopping the situation.
“If a frightening episode has happened, you should remember that it will end soon. Also try to ‘turn on’ the muscles: rotate your eyes, move your tongue, toes and hands,” the sonologist suggested.
According to the web site of the UK National Health Service (NHS), sleep paralysis also can happen when an individual is falling asleep. Most folks will solely get it “once or twice in their life,” the NHS says.
An uncommon nickname of the situation, in the meantime, comes not solely from the nightmare visions persons are getting. The ‘outdated hag’ expression reportedly originated in Newfoundland, Canada, the place folks related the sensation of stress, typical for sleep paralysis, with a witch-like creature perching on the chest. Descriptions of the scary expertise will be present in folklore traditions the world over. In Nigeria, folks believed {that a} demon-woman assaults you throughout a sleep and renders immobile, and in Japan the phenomenon was linked to a vengeful spirit in search of to strangle a sleeping particular person.
(RT.com)