Sleep paralysis is a feeling when, during the transitions of sleep a person is aware yet unable to move or speak. These periods may last for a few minutes, and people often report a sense of choking or pressure. Sleep paralysis may accompany other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.

This is a common sleep disorder that affects up to four out of every ten people.

The general symptoms of sleep paralysis is being unable to move whilst falling asleep or awakening. Suffers have reported hearing sounds such as humming, hissing or buzzing noises during sleep paralysis. Other sounds such as voices or whispers are often experienced, or hallucinations such as a supernatural creature suffocating whilst the subject is paralyzed. These symptoms are usually accompanied by an intense emotion of fear and panic.

Sleep paralysis is usually first diagnosed in the teen years, but men and women of any age can suffer. There may be other factors that linked to the condition, such as lack of sleep, sleep disorders like narcolepsy, substance abuse or mental disorders such as bipolar.  

There is no treatment for sleep paralysis, although Doctors may want to treat the underlying conditions such are narcolepsy, mental health conditions or improving sleep health. Especially if the symptoms are creating anxiety or extreme tiredness during waking hours or leaving you unable to sleep at night.