Is there a link between sleep paralysis and hallucinations?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 19-year-old female. I have been having sleep paralysis ever since I was 8 or 9 years old. I grew up in a peaceful environment with no traumatic stress or anything of that sort. I started having auditory hallucinations along with sleep paralysis when I was 15 to 16 years old. Then I started having auditory and visual hallucinations when I was 17 years old. It then progressed to tactile, auditory, and visual altogether when I was 18 years old. It does not happen continuously, but I have a series of episodes when it happens often in a week and then it stops again. There was an instance when I woke up in the middle of the night to see a glowing orb in front of me. Are these events linked to any type of mental disorder category or is there any other possible medical explanation? Also, I suffer from anemia which is quite chronic. At times I experience palpitations continuously for days and months on end, extreme fatigue, dark vision, and losing a sense of reality - a dream-like state.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Though the most common reason for sleep paralysis is poor sleep quality, anxiety disorders can also cause sleep paralysis. In your case, the total DOI (diffuse optical imaging) and the severity of episodes warrant an evaluation by a GP (general practitioner), as sometimes medical conditions can also result in similar symptoms, though the chances are less (episodic nature, period without any symptoms).

Also, the symptoms like losing a sense of reality need to be further evaluated. In my opinion, you should consult your GP for a detailed evaluation. Besides, you practice steps of sleep hygiene, for example, sleeping and waking up at a regular time, avoiding caffeinated drinks at least eight hours before sleep, avoiding using a television, mobile, or laptop, etc. Half an hour before sleep, do relaxing activities, avoid a heavy protein diet and refined sugars at night, etc.

Hope this solves your query. Feel free to ask if you have any further queries.

Thanks and regards.