Sleep paralysis is a state between wakefulness and sleep in which a person cannot move or speak for a few seconds to a few minutes  while falling asleep or waking up. During this episode, they may feel pressure or a sensation of suffocation.

It can also be associated with other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, and it often appears during adolescence or early puberty. The experience varies from person to person.

You may have the following symptoms during a sleep paralysis episode, either right before falling asleep or upon waking:

1-Inability to move the arms or legs

2-Inability to speak

3- A feeling of pressure on the chest (like choking or suffocation) or a sensation of leaving the body

4- Hallucinations, such as sensing a dangerous presence in the room

5- Excessive daytime sleepiness

Causes of sleep paralysis include:

1- Narcolepsy

2- Not getting enough sleep (sleep deprivation)

3- Irregular sleep schedules (such as shift work sleep disorder)

4- Obstructive sleep apnea

5- Mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

6- Certain medications (such as those used to treat ADHD)

During sleep paralysis, a person may feel panic, fear, and helplessness.