Sleep Paralysis

1.

Sleep Paralysis is a synonym for REM atonia
- A.
  
  Yes
- B.
  
  No
Correct Answer
B. No

Explanation
No. REM atonia and SP are believed to be the same physical paralysis, but these two phrases refer to very distinct periods in which you are paralyzed. REM atonia happens naturally during REM periods to keep you from acting out your dreams and hurting yourself. When this happens AT THE WRONG TIME, outside of REM sleep, it is called Sleep Paralysis.

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2.

Sleep Paralysis occurs
- A.
  
  During REM sleep
- B.
  
  Outside of REM sleep
Correct Answer
B. Outside of REM sleep

Explanation
Again: REM atonia and Sleep Paralysis are hypothesized to be the same paralysis mechanism of your body. There is an important distinction between the two, which is that REM atonia occurs when it is supposed to, during REM sleep to keep you from acting out your dreams. When this happens at the wrong time (outside of REM sleep), it is called Sleep Paralysis.

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3.

In order to be in sleep paralysis, you *must* have which symptom(s)?
- A.
  
  Vibrations
- B.
  
  An Old Hag
- C.
  
  Paralysis
- D.
  
  Difficulty Breathing
- E.
  
  Two or more of the above
Correct Answer
C. Paralysis

Explanation
The ONLY thing that you need to have to be in SP *is* paralysis. Anything else is just extra. You CAN experience hallucinations, but you do not ALWAYS. This is important to note, because many people experience mere hallucinations and think they are in SP. IF YOU ARE NOT PARALYZED, YOU ARE NOT IN SP.

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4.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations occur when?
- A.
  
  While asleep
- B.
  
  While falling asleep
- C.
  
  While waking up
- D.
  
  While daydreaming
Correct Answer
B. While falling asleep
5.

Hypnopompic Hallucinations occur when?
- A.
  
  While asleep
- B.
  
  While falling asleep
- C.
  
  While waking up
- D.
  
  While daydreaming
Correct Answer
C. While waking up
6.

How many main 'categories' of hallucinations can accompany SP?
- A.
  
  1
- B.
  
  2
- C.
  
  3
- D.
  
  4
- E.
  
  5
Correct Answer
E. 5

Explanation
1. Intruder/Sensed Presence: the feeling that there is a person or being in the room with you. Includes the 'old hag', and is hypothesized to be the explanation behind alien abduction stories.
2. V-M or Unusual Bodily Experiences: includes feelings of shrinking, buzzing, vibrating, falling, floating, etc.
3. Incubus: the hallucination that you are having trouble breathing, and/or that there is immense pressure on your chest.
4. Auditory Hallucinations: beeping, buzzing, roaring, white noise, voices, bits of music, etc.
5. Visual Hallucinations: aka imagery. Colors, scenes, abstract shapes, etc.

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7.

Sleep Paralysis often accompanies other sleep disorders
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
True, and it is particularly linked to disorders like narcolepsy. Research suggests it may be linked to a history of sexual abuse and anxiety, especially PTSD. When it accompanies a disorder, it is technically termed 'sleep paralysis'.

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8.

When sleep paralysis occurs by itself, it is properly called:
- A.
  
  Singular Sleep Paralysis (SSP)
- B.
  
  Paralysis
- C.
  
  Isolated Sleep Paralysis (ISP)
- D.
  
  Symptomatic Sleep Paralysis (SSP)
Correct Answer
C. Isolated Sleep Paralysis (ISP)

Explanation
When it occurs all by itself, Sleep Paralysis is more properly called "Isolated Sleep Paralysis". This implies that it is experienced without any relation to more serious disorders and problems.

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9.

In the average person, Sleep Paralysis happens every night.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
False. The majority of the normal population will experience ISP a handful of times throughout their lives. Some will never experience the phenomenon, while others get it much more frequently (for as-of-yet unknown reasons)

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10.

Being afraid of SP can make your hallucinations scarier.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
True. Research suggests that succumbing to fear can lead you to have more frightening hallucinations. Learning to understand what sleep paralysis is and that it is completely harmless will allow you to calmly and objectively experience it, or even enjoy it!

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11.

If SP failed to happen, it is called:
- A.
  
  Sleep Walking
- B.
  
  REM Behavioral Disorder
- C.
  
  Normal Bodily Function
Correct Answer
C. Normal Bodily Function

Explanation
Since sleep paralysis is an anomaly that is not supposed to happen to your body, if it fails to happen then congratulations, you are functioning normally. RBD and Sleep Walking episodes are not really related to SP.

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12.

If REM atonia fails to happen it is called
- A.
  
  Sleep Walking
- B.
  
  REM Behavioral Disorder
- C.
  
  Normal Bodily Funciton
Correct Answer
B. REM Behavioral Disorder

Explanation
A common misconception is that sleep walkers are acting out their REM dreams. This is not correct, sleep walking occurs during other stages of sleep than REM sleep.
If REM atonia fails, the dreamer may act out their dreams (possibly causing harm to themselves). This is called REM Behavioral Disorder, or RBD.

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Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Paralysis is a synonym for REM atonia

Sleep Paralysis occurs

In order to be in sleep paralysis, you *must* have which symptom(s)?

Hypnagogic Hallucinations occur when?

Hypnopompic Hallucinations occur when?

How many main 'categories' of hallucinations can accompany SP?

Sleep Paralysis often accompanies other sleep disorders

When sleep paralysis occurs by itself, it is properly called:

In the average person, Sleep Paralysis happens every night.

Being afraid of SP can make your hallucinations scarier.

If SP failed to happen, it is called:

If REM atonia fails to happen it is called

In order to be in sleep paralysis, you must have which symptom(s)?