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Blood C, Cacciatore J. "It Started After Trauma": The Effects of Traumatic Grief on Sleep Paralysis. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 89:1451-1472. [PMID: 35546322 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221093895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Adverse life events are associated with the often-terrifying REM sleep parasomnia of sleep paralysis (SP), but the impact of bereavement on SP has not been specifically examined. This exploratory, mixed-methods study (N = 168) includes qualitative data from 55 participants who described factors they believed led to their SP. Of these, almost half with a traumatic loss listed death-related precipitants. In unadjusted (bivariate) negative binomial regression models, traumatic death, time since death, religiosity, and age estimated increased SP frequency in the prior month, prior year, or both. In multivariable models, traumatic death, time since death, and age estimated increased frequency in the prior month, prior year, or both. Unexpectedly, in all models, as compared to death ≥9 years earlier, prior month SP was greater with death 1-6 years earlier, but not <1 year earlier. Discussion includes the possible role of social constraints in traumatic grief trajectories and care provider recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cybele Blood
- Field Instructor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Joanne Cacciatore
- Professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Rauf B, Sharpless BA, Denis D, Perach R, Madrid-Valero JJ, French CC, Gregory AM. Isolated sleep paralysis: Clinical features, perception of aetiology, prevention and disruption strategies in a large international sample. Sleep Med 2023; 104:105-112. [PMID: 36934464 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Isolated sleep paralysis is a benign but frightening condition characterised by a temporary inability to move at sleep onset or upon awakening. Despite the prevalence of this condition, little is known concerning its clinical features, associated demographic characteristics, and prevention as well as disruption strategies. METHODS An online cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 3523 participants who had reported at least one lifetime episode of ISP and 3288 participants without a lifetime episode. Participants answered a survey including questions about sleep quality, sleep paralysis, and sleep paralysis prevention/disruption techniques. RESULTS A total of 6811 participants were investigated (mean age = 46.9, SD = 15.4, age range = 18-89, 66.1% female). Those who reported experiencing ISP at least once during their lives reported longer sleep onset latencies, shorter sleep duration, and greater insomnia symptoms. Females (vs. male) and younger (vs. older) participants were more likely to experience ISP. Significant fear during episodes was reported by 76.0% of the participants. Most people (63.3%) who experienced ISP believed it to be caused by 'something in the brain'. A minority endorsed supernatural causes (7.1%). Five prevention strategies (e.g., changing sleep position, adjusting sleep patterns) with at least 60.0% effectiveness, and five disruption strategies (e.g., physical/bodily action, making noise) with varying degrees of effectiveness (ranging from 29.5 to 61.8) were identified through open-ended responses. CONCLUSIONS ISP is associated with shorter sleep duration, longer sleep onset latency, and greater insomnia symptoms. The multiple prevention and disruption techniques identified in this study support existing treatment approaches and may inform subsequent treatment development. Implications for current diagnostic criteria are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betul Rauf
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Brian A Sharpless
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Dan Denis
- Department of Psychology, University of York, United Kingdom
| | - Rotem Perach
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom; School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster, United Kingdom
| | - Juan J Madrid-Valero
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Christopher C French
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice M Gregory
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
The present study examined explanations of sleep paralysis (SP) in Turkey. The participants were 59 college students recruited in İstanbul, Turkey, who had experienced SP at least once in their lifetime. Participants were administered the Sleep Paralysis Experiences and Phenomenology Questionnaire (SP-EPQ) in an interview. When asked whether they had heard of a name for SP, the vast majority (88%) mentioned the "Karabasan"-a spirit-like creature rooted in Turkish folk tradition. Seventeen percent of the participants believed that their SP might have been caused by this supernatural creature. Thirty-seven percent of participants applied various supernatural and religious methods to prevent future SP attacks such as dua (supplicating to God), reciting the Quran, and wearing a musqa (a type of talisman inscribed with Quranic verses). Case studies are presented to illustrate these findings. The Karabasan constitutes a culturally specific, supernatural interpretation of the phenomenology of SP in Turkey.
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Abstract
Previous research has found supernatural beliefs about sleep paralysis (SP) to be very prevalent in Italy, with over one third of SP sufferers believing that their SP might have been caused by a supernatural creature known locally as the Pandafeche. The current study further examined features of SP in Italy. All participants had experienced SP at least once in their lifetime. Participants were recruited from the general population (N = 67) in the region of Abruzzo. The Sleep Paralysis Experiences and Phenomenology Questionnaire (SP-EPQ) was orally administered to participants. As hypothesized, we found that Italians from the general population reported high lifetime rates of SP, prolonged duration of immobility during the event, and great fear of the experience (with as many as 42% of SP sufferers fearing that they could die from the experience), all of which were particularly elevated as compared to cultures where there are no such elaborate traditions of SP (e.g., Denmark). In addition, 78% of participants experienced some type of hallucination during their SP. The results we present here suggest that cultural beliefs about SP in Italy (e.g., as being caused by the Pandafeche, as reported elsewhere) potentially can profoundly shape certain aspects of the experience - a type of mind-body interaction.
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Wróbel-Knybel P, Karakuła-Juchnowicz H, Flis M, Rog J, Hinton DE, Boguta P, Jalal B. Prevalence and Clinical Picture of Sleep Paralysis in a Polish Student Sample. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17103529. [PMID: 32443518 PMCID: PMC7277803 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a psychobiological phenomenon caused by temporary desynchrony in the architecture of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It affects approximately 7.6% of the general population during their lifetime. The aim of this study was to assess (1) the prevalence of SP among Polish students in Lublin (n = 439) using self-reported online surveys, (2) the frequency of SP-related somatic and psychopathologic symptoms, and (3) the factors potentially affecting the occurrence of symptoms among people experiencing SP. We found that the incidence of SP in the Polish student population was slightly higher (32%) than the average prevalence found in other student populations (28.3%). The SP clinical picture was dominated by somatic symptomatology: 94% of respondents reported somatic symptoms (most commonly tachycardia, 76%), 93% reported fear (most commonly fear of death, 46%), and 66% reported hallucinations (most commonly visual hallucinations, 37%). The number of SP episodes was related to sleep duration and supine position during sleep. The severity of somatic symptoms correlated with lifestyle variables and anxiety symptomatology. Our study shows that a significant proportion of students experience recurrent SP and that this phenomenon is associated with fear and physical discomfort. The scale of the phenomenon requires a deeper analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Wróbel-Knybel
- Ist Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (H.K.-J.); (M.F.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Hanna Karakuła-Juchnowicz
- Ist Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (H.K.-J.); (M.F.); (J.R.)
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Flis
- Ist Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (H.K.-J.); (M.F.); (J.R.)
| | - Joanna Rog
- Ist Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (H.K.-J.); (M.F.); (J.R.)
| | - Devon E. Hinton
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Piotr Boguta
- Locum Pharmacy for Well and Lloyds in Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, West Sussex, Wilthshire RG30 2BT, UK;
| | - Baland Jalal
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK;
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A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis. Sleep Med Rev 2018; 38:141-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Nightmares and sleep paralysis among the general Japanese population: a nationwide representative survey. Sleep Biol Rhythms 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s41105-017-0138-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Little is known about the presence of parasomnias such as nightmare disorder, sleep paralysis, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and sleep-related eating disorders (SRED) in people with mental illness. A predominant view suggests that psychotropic medications might be contributing to parasomnias. This article summarizes knowledge regarding the relationships between psychiatric disorders and parasomnias, and possible confounds. A systematic search of the literature in the past 10 years identified 19 articles. RECENT FINDINGS There were significantly elevated rates of parasomnias in psychiatric disorders (average prevalence of nightmares was 38.9%, sleep paralysis 22.3%, SRED 9.9%, sleepwalking 8.5%, and RBD 3.8%). Medication usage was only one of many risk factors (other sleep disorders, medical comorbidities, and substance abuse) which were associated with parasomnias. A strong association exists between mental illness and parasomnias which is not fully explained by medications. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to develop a better understanding of the unique and shared variance from multiple risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavie Waters
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. .,Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital, North Metropolitan Health Service-Mental Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Umberto Moretto
- Psychiatric Unit I Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy.,Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology & PERFORM Center, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, SP 165.27, Montreal, H4B 1R6, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 chemin Queen-Mary, M5815, Montreal, H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Thien Thanh Dang-Vu
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology & PERFORM Center, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, SP 165.27, Montreal, H4B 1R6, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 chemin Queen-Mary, M5815, Montreal, H3W 1W5, Canada
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Jalal B. How to Make the Ghosts in my Bedroom Disappear? Focused-Attention Meditation Combined with Muscle Relaxation (MR Therapy)-A Direct Treatment Intervention for Sleep Paralysis. Front Psychol 2016; 7:28. [PMID: 26858675 PMCID: PMC4731518 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a common state of involuntary immobility occurring at sleep onset or offset. It can include terrifying hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations of menacing bedroom intruders. Unsurprisingly, the experience is associated with great fear and horror worldwide. To date, there exist no direct treatment intervention for SP. In this article, I propose for the first time a type of focused inward-attention meditation combined with muscle relaxation as a direct intervention to be applied during the attack, to ameliorate and possibly eliminate it (what could be called, meditation-relaxation or MR therapy for SP). The intervention includes four steps: (1) reappraisal of the meaning of the attack; (2) psychological and emotional distancing; (3) inward focused-attention meditation; (4) muscle relaxation. The intervention promotes attentional shift away from unpleasant external and internal stimuli (i.e., terrifying hallucinations and bodily paralysis sensations) unto an emotionally pleasant internal object (e.g., a positive memory). It may facilitate a relaxed meditative state characterized by a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance, associated with greater levels of alpha activity (which may lead to drowsiness and potentially sleep). The procedure may also reduce the initial panic and arousal that occur when realizing one is paralyzed. In addition, I present a novel Panic-Hallucination (PH) Model of Sleep Paralysis; describing how through escalating cycles of fear and panic-like autonomic arousal, a positive feedback loop is created that worsens the attack (e.g., leading to longer and more fearful episodes), drives content of hallucinations, and causes future episodes of SP. Case examples are presented to illustrate the feasibility of MR therapy for SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baland Jalal
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
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Sleep Paralysis Among Egyptian College Students: Association With Anxiety Symptoms (PTSD, Trait Anxiety, Pathological Worry). J Nerv Ment Dis 2015; 203:871-5. [PMID: 26488914 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Among Egyptian college students in Cairo (n = 100), this study examined the relationship between sleep paralysis (SP) and anxiety symptoms, viz., posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trait anxiety, and pathological worry. SP rates were high; 43% of participants reported at least one lifetime episode of SP, and 24% of those who reported at least one lifetime episode had experienced four or more episodes during the previous year. Fourteen percent of men had experienced SP as compared to 86% of women. As hypothesized, relative to non-SP experiencers, participants who had SP reported higher symptoms of PTSD, trait anxiety, and pathological worry. Also, as hypothesized, the experiencing of hypnogogic/hypnopompic hallucinations during SP, even after controlling for negative affect, was highly correlated with symptoms of PTSD and trait anxiety. The study also investigated possible mechanisms by examining the relationship of hallucinations to anxiety variables.
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Abstract
In the current research we report data from two studies that examined rates and characteristics of sleep paralysis (SP) in the general population of Denmark and Egypt. In Study I, individuals from Denmark and Egypt did not differ in age whereas there were more males in the Egyptian sample (47 vs. 64 %); in Study II, individuals from Denmark and Egypt were comparable in terms of age and gender distribution. In Study I we found that significantly fewer individuals had experienced SP in Denmark [25 % (56/223)] than in Egypt [44 % (207/470)] p < .001. In Study II we found that individuals who had experienced at least one lifetime episode of SP from Denmark (n = 58) as compared to those from Egypt (n = 143) reported significantly fewer SP episodes in a lifetime relative to SP experiencers from Egypt (M = 6.0 vs. M = 19.4, p < .001). SP in the Egyptian sample was characterized by high rates of SP (as compared to in Denmark), frequent occurrences (three times that in the Denmark sample), prolonged immobility during SP, and great fear of dying from the experience. In addition, in Egypt, believing SP to be precipitated by the supernatural was associated with fear of the experience and longer SP immobility. Findings are discussed in the context of cultural elaboration and salience theories of SP.
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Sharpless BA, Barber JP. Lifetime prevalence rates of sleep paralysis: a systematic review. Sleep Med Rev 2011; 15:311-5. [PMID: 21571556 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Revised: 01/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine lifetime prevalence rates of sleep paralysis. DATA SOURCES Keyword term searches using "sleep paralysis", "isolated sleep paralysis", or "parasomnia not otherwise specified" were conducted using MEDLINE (1950-present) and PsychINFO (1872-present). English and Spanish language abstracts were reviewed, as were reference lists of identified articles. STUDY SELECTION Thirty five studies that reported lifetime sleep paralysis rates and described both the assessment procedures and sample utilized were selected. DATA EXTRACTION Weighted percentages were calculated for each study and, when possible, for each reported subsample. DATA SYNTHESIS Aggregating across studies (total N=36,533), 7.6% of the general population, 28.3% of students, and 31.9% of psychiatric patients experienced at least one episode of sleep paralysis. Of the psychiatric patients with panic disorder, 34.6% reported lifetime sleep paralysis. Results also suggested that minorities experience lifetime sleep paralysis at higher rates than Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS Sleep paralysis is relatively common in the general population and more frequent in students and psychiatric patients. Given these prevalence rates, sleep paralysis should be assessed more regularly and uniformly in order to determine its impact on individual functioning and better articulate its relation to psychiatric and other medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Sharpless
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, 317 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Sharpless BA, McCarthy KS, Chambless DL, Milrod BL, Khalsa SR, Barber JP. Isolated sleep paralysis and fearful isolated sleep paralysis in outpatients with panic attacks. J Clin Psychol 2010; 66:1292-306. [PMID: 20715166 PMCID: PMC3624974 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) has received scant attention in clinical populations, and there has been little empirical consideration of the role of fear in ISP episodes. To facilitate research and clinical work in this area, the authors developed a reliable semistructured interview (the Fearful Isolated Sleep Paralysis Interview) to assess ISP and their proposed fearful ISP (FISP) episode criteria in 133 patients presenting for panic disorder treatment. Of these, 29.3% met lifetime ISP episode criteria, 20.3% met the authors' lifetime FISP episode criteria, and 12.8% met their recurrent FISP criteria. Both ISP and FISP were associated with minority status and comorbidity. However, only FISP was significantly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, body mass, anxiety sensitivity, and mood and anxiety disorder symptomatology.
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The body unbound: Vestibular–motor hallucinations and out-of-body experiences. Cortex 2009; 45:201-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2007.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2006] [Revised: 04/10/2007] [Accepted: 05/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Solomonova E, Nielsen T, Stenstrom P, Simard V, Frantova E, Donderi D. Sensed presence as a correlate of sleep paralysis distress, social anxiety and waking state social imagery. Conscious Cogn 2007; 17:49-63. [PMID: 17574867 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2006] [Revised: 04/25/2007] [Accepted: 04/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) is a common parasomnia characterized by an inability to move or speak and often accompanied by hallucinations of a sensed presence nearby. Recent research has linked ISP, and sensed presence more particularly, with social anxiety and other psychopathologies. The present study used a large sample of respondents to an internet questionnaire (N=193) to test whether these associations are due to a general personality factor, affect distress, which is implicated in nightmare suffering and hypothesized to involve dysfunctional social imagery processes. A new measure, ISP distress, was examined in relation to features of ISP experiences, to self-reported psychopathological diagnosis, to scores on the Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale and to scores on a new questionnaire subscale assessing social imagery in a variety of waking states. Three main results were found: (1) ISP experiences are only weakly associated with a prior diagnosis of mental disorder, (2) sensed presence during ISP is associated preferentially with ISP distress, and (3) ISP distress is associated with dysfunctional social imagery. A general predisposition to affective distress may influence the distress associated with ISP experiences; overly passive social imagery may, in turn, be implicated in this affect distress influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre d'étude du sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, Que., Canada H4J 1C5
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Nielsen T. Felt presence: paranoid delusion or hallucinatory social imagery? Conscious Cogn 2007; 16:975-83; discussion 984-91. [PMID: 17434323 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2006] [Accepted: 02/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cheyne and Girard characterize felt presence (FP) during sleep paralysis attacks as a pre-hallucinatory expression of a threat-activated vigilance system. While their results may be consistent with this interpretation, they are nonetheless correlational and do not address a parsimonious alternative explanation. This alternative stipulates that FP is a purely spatial, hallucinatory form of a common cognitive phenomenon-social imagery-that is often, but not necessarily, linked with threat and fear and that may induce distress among susceptible individuals. The occurrence of both fearful and non-fearful FPs in a multiplicity of situations other than sleep paralysis attacks supports the notion that FPs are hallucinatory variants of social imagery and that they are not necessarily bound to threat-activated vigilance. Evidence linking FPs with anxiety disorders supports the notion that the distress they evoke may be mediated by a more general affective distress personality factor. To illustrate the predominantly spatial character of FP hallucinations, similarities between FP and phantom limbs are summarized and the possibility that these two phenomena are parallel expressions (self- vs. other-presence) of a mirror neuron system is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Nielsen
- Dream & Nightmare Laboratory, Sacré-Coeur Hospital, Montreal, Canada
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Cheyne JA, Girard TA. Paranoid delusions and threatening hallucinations: a prospective study of sleep paralysis experiences. Conscious Cogn 2007; 16:959-74. [PMID: 17337212 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2006] [Revised: 01/07/2007] [Accepted: 01/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previously we reported a three-factor structure for hallucinations accompanying sleep paralysis (SP). These earlier analyses were, however, based on retrospective accounts. In a prospective study, 383 individuals reported individual episodes online providing further evidence for the three-factor structure as well as clearer conceptually meaningful relations among factors than retrospective studies. In addition, reports of individual episodes permitted a more fine-grained analysis of the internal structure of factors to assess predictions based on the hypothesis that a sensed or felt presence (FP) is a core experience affecting other SP hallucinations. Results were generally consistent with this hypothesis. In particular, associations among, and temporal stability of, sensory hallucinations were largely explained by their common association with FP. The findings are consistent with REM initiation of a threat activated vigilance system with pervasive effects on the SP experience and suggest a potential model for the thematic organization of nightmares and dreams more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Allan Cheyne
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ont., Canada
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