Is Sleep Paralysis a Mental Disorder?

Most of us have experienced a strange state that caused us to wake in the middle of the night, able to hear and see what was around us but feeling paralyzed and unable to move. This can cause intense terror, while at the same time we cannot speak or call for help. This state is popularly known as al-jathum, al-rabus, or the sleep jinn, and scientifically as sleep paralysis.

The very troubling part of this state, in addition to the intense terror a person feels, is the hallucinations that may occur. Most involve a body or creature directly above you, choking, harming, or eating you. Other people imagine insects or reptiles approaching while they are paralyzed and unable to move or scream for help. These and other hallucinations are considered normal and are found across civilizations and countries worldwide. Awareness of the subject is limited, however, so people in our communities may associate it with magic or jinn, or believe the person has gone insane and lost their mind. These beliefs are, of course, mistaken, as research indicates that most people have experienced this state at least once in their lives.

What is sleep paralysis?

To understand this phenomenon, we first need to discuss sleep. Sleep is divided into two stages: REM, an abbreviation of rapid eye movement, which is preceded by a stage called NREM, an abbreviation of Non rapid eye movement. This is the first stage of sleep, and scientists observed that the eyelids do not move during it, unlike the rapid-eye-movement REM stage, in which eyelid movements are clear and rapid. This is because the person is dreaming; when they look upward in a dream, for example, the eyeball moves upward and that movement becomes visible in the eyelids.

During the rapid-eye-movement stage, all voluntary muscles in the body become paralyzed so that the person does not move and hurt themselves while asleep. Al-jathum, or sleep paralysis, occurs during this particular stage. The person wakes before the stage has ended and feels paralyzed despite being awake and able to hear and see. Panic and terror then take hold, making the experience feel strange. Because the mind dislikes ambiguity and seeks a logical explanation for everything based on previous experiences and its cognitive framework, its first thought is that an outside agent has caused the paralysis. It therefore attributes the experience to jinn, ghosts, or something similar. This is an unconscious psychological defense mechanism recognized in the psychoanalytic school and known as attribution.

Many valued clients come to us believing they have gone insane or have been possessed by Satan or affected by magic because of sleep paralysis. Once the patient learns that it is common, affects most people, can be overcome, and does not mean they are insane, they feel greatly relieved. From what I have seen, al-jathum, or sleep paralysis, has not continued once the cause and treatment were understood. Everyone recovered from it, including those who experienced it repeatedly.

What causes sleep paralysis?

1. Significant exposure to anxiety and stress.
2. Having a mental disorder associated with anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder GAD, obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD, or depression accompanied by anxiety.
3. Using narcotic or hallucinogenic substances.
4. Sleep disorders.

How do I cope with sleep paralysis?

1. People with sleep paralysis should understand that it is a normal state experienced by many people.
2. Adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food and exercising.
3. Work on maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
4. Avoid sources of anxiety and stress.

Is sleep paralysis a mental disorder?

The cause of sleep paralysis generally goes no further than temporary psychological disturbances. It is described as one of the behavioral disorders related to sleep or, rarely, may result from a mental illness. It often results from insomnia, stress, irregular sleeping hours and schedules, alcohol or drug use, or medications that affect a person’s mental state.

In the end, we say that once the cause is known, the mystery disappears, and people are hostile toward what they do not understand.

No matter how unknown or inexplicable what we are experiencing may seem, we should not treat assumptions about it as established facts. Science can always provide a clear answer. We should therefore believe in science, particularly psychology, when confronting what we experience. Therapy and psychological counseling sessions are considered the best ways to treat the causes and symptoms of sleep paralysis. No one should hesitate to seek psychological help, whether the problem is small or large. Mental illness is not shameful; it is just like physical illness. Do not allow yourself or others to become victims of charlatans.

Download the Tatmeen app for online psychological and family consultations from the App Store or Google Play. You can also register on the Tatmeen mental-health website to receive valuable information and practical tools for strengthening your psychological and family well-being.