Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis [8] is a condition characterized by complete immobility upon awakening. The person is fully conscious and can adequately assess the situation, but cannot move. Only the ability to blink and move the eyes is retained. Sleep paralysis is more common in the morning but can occur in the evening and at night. This situation can be very frightening, especially in the case of frightening hallucinations against the background of immobility.
This is due to the brain relaxing all muscles of the body during sleep and keeps them motionless in order to preserve energy and avoid unexpected movements while dreaming. Conversely, when there is a communication issue between the body and the brain during sleep, the brain may take time to restore control to the body, triggering an episode of sleep paralysis.
During paralysis [9] episodes, hallucination may occur, (in the form of seeing someone next to your bed or hearing noises that aren’t there) but this can sometimes be due to increased fear and anxiety induced by the loss of conscious control itself. Moreover, the sounds heard can also be explained by the action of the ear muscle movements, which function properly despite the fact that throughout sleep, the other muscles of the body have already ceased to function.
In the diagnosis of narcolepsy, the doctor will review the conduct a physical examination and review your medical history. Blood tests will detect variations in blood count, the function of organs, and hormone levels. Medications can sometimes be the cause of sleepiness. So your doctor may do well to look at the medications you are taking.
References:
[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155244#definition
[2] https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/narcolepsy/
[3] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Narcolepsy-Fact-Sheet
[4] https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p391.html
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155244#symptoms
[6] https://www.narcolepsylink.com/screening-and-diagnosis/recognizing-symptoms/
[7] https://www.narcolepsylink.com/screening-and-diagnosis/recognizing-symptoms/
[8] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295039.php
[9] https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleep-paralysis