SleepParalysisOutline1.docx
Jeremy Sanchez
Sleep Paralysis
Thesis: Sleep Paralysis is a common though frightening sleep disorder that affects many people.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about what sleep paralysis is, how it has affected people in the past, and what can be done to manage it.
I. Introduction
A. Tell the story of my first experience with sleep paralysis.
B. Sleep Paralysis is a common though frightening sleep disorder that affects many people.
C. Today I will discuss what sleep paralysis is, how it has affected cultures around the world, and how it can be managed.
II. Body
A. Sleep paralysis is a common parasomnia, or sleep disorder.
1. According to Jalal, Romanelli, and Hinton (2015) sleep paralysis is caused by disruption during REM sleep.
2. Atonia – paralysis of skeletal muscles
3. Symptoms:
a. Awareness of the room
b. Unable to move
c. Feeling the presence of something evil or bad
d. Panic and fear
B. Sleep paralysis has affected many cultural beliefs and superstitions.
1. John Henry Fuseli - The Nightmare
2. Newfoundland – Old Hag
3. Japan – Kanashibari
4. Italy – Pandafeche
5. United States – Alien Abduction
C. Sleep paralysis can be managed.
1. According to Sharpless and Grom (2016), the two key approaches are prevention and disruption.
2. Prevention techniques include relaxing before sleep, changing sleep position and sleep pattern.
3. Disruption is difficult, due to high anxiety.
III. Conclusion
A. Sleep Paralysis is a common though frightening sleep disorder that affects many people.
B. We have discussed discuss what sleep paralysis is, how it has affected cultures around the world, and how it can be managed.
C. So hopefully if you or anyone you know ever experiences this, it doesn’t have to be such a scary experience.
References:
Adler, S. R. (2011). Sleep Paralysis : Night-mares, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
Jalal, B., Romanelli, A., & Hinton, D. E. (2015). Cultural Explanations of Sleep Paralysis in Italy: The Pandafeche Attack and Associated Supernatural Beliefs. Culture, Medicine And Psychiatry, 39(4), 651-664. doi:10.1007/s11013-015-9442-y
Sharpless, B. A., & Grom, J. L. (2016). Isolated Sleep Paralysis: Fear, Prevention, and Disruption. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 14(2), 134-139. doi:10.1080/15402002.2014.963583
