scholarly journals What do we know about sleep paralysis?

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-184
Author(s):  
Paulina Wróbel-Knybel ◽  
Michał Flis ◽  
Rafał Dubiel ◽  
Hanna Karakuła-Juchnowicz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
The Body ◽  
Somatic Complaints ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Sleep Paralysis ◽  
Somatic Disorders ◽  
Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Summary Introduction: Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition that widely occurs among people all over the world. It has been known for thousands of years and is rooted in the culture of many countries. It arouses strong emotions, though still little is known about it. The clinical picture of the disorder can be very diverse. It is often accompanied by hypnopompic and hypnagogic hallucinations, somatic complaints and the feeling of intense anxiety. A feeling of paralysis in the body with inhibited consciousness is always observed with the experience. SP pathophysiology is not fully understood, however, most theories explaining this phenomenon are based on the assumption that it results from dysfunctional overlap of REM sleep and wakefulness. It is experienced by healthy people, but it is more often associated with somatic and mental disorders, which is why it is becoming an object of interest for researchers. Aim: The aim of this work is to present the most important information about the disorder known as sleep paralysis - its history, cultural context, pathophysiology, prevalence, symptomatology, coexistence with other somatic and mental disorders as well as diagnostics and available forms of prevention and treatment. Materials and methodology: The available literature was reviewed using the Google Scholar bibliographic databases searching the following keywords: sleep paralysis, REM sleep parasomnias, sleep disorder, night terrors and time descriptors: 1980-2018. Results 1. Sleep paralysis has already been described in antiquity, and interpretations related to its occurrence are largely dependent on culture and beliefs. 2. Symptomatology of the disorder is very diverse: both mental and somatic symptoms are present. 3. The pathophysiology of the disorder has not been fully explained. The basis of most theories regarding sleep paralysis is the assumption that it results from the dysfunctional overlap of REM sleep and wakefulness. 4. The prevalence of SP at least once in a lifetime is 7.6% in the general population, although it is estimated that it is much more frequent in people with various mental and somatic disorders. 5. Treatment of SP is associated with a change in lifestyle and the use of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Neurology and Sleep Research

1971 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Broughton
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Sleep Paralysis ◽  
Sleep Research ◽  
Cerebrovascular Accidents ◽  
Therapeutic Relevance ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Hypnagogic Hallucinations

This brief review documents some of the important contributions of recent sleep research to the understanding of a number of neurological conditions. Narcoleptic attacks have been shown to be either episodes of NREM or REM sleep; and cataplexy, sleep paralysis and vivid hypnagogic hallucinations consist of dissociated or inappropriate REM sleep. Important relationships of the hypersomnias and various comas to sleep mechanisms are being increasingly elucidated. Various types of epileptic seizures have been found to be affected differentially by the two types of sleep and by arousal from them; and sleep deprivation may activate or perpetuate epilepsy. Finally, some miscellaneous conditions, such as dyskinesias, cerebrovascular accidents, migraine, and memory and repair functions have been considered. As well as being of pathophysiological interest, much of this new knowledge has a direct diagnostic and therapeutic relevance.

Alcohol and Narcolepsy

1970 ◽  
Vol 117 (541) ◽  
pp. 705-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W. Goodwin ◽  
Frank Freemon ◽  
Benjamin M. Ianzito ◽  
Ekkehard Othmer
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Sleep Paralysis ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Sleep Studies ◽  
Transient Loss ◽  
Abnormal Sleep ◽  
Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Narcolepsy is a syndrome characterized by recurrent sleep attacks and one or more of the following symptoms: cataplexy (transient loss of muscle tone), sleep paralysis (inability to move in the transition between sleep and arousal), and hypnagogic hallucinations (Sours, 1963). Polygraphic sleep studies indicate that narcoleptics have an abnormal sleep record. Normally, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is preceded by 90 to 100 minutes of non-REM sleep, whereas narcoleptics often have an REM-period at the onset of sleep (Hishikawa and Kaneki, 1965; Rechtschaffen et al., 1963).

Masked Depression: Its Interrelations with Somatization, Hypochondriasis and Conversion

1988 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Z. Fisch
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Somatic Complaints ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Clinical Phenomenon ◽  
Clinical Problems

Masked depression appears to be a common clinical phenomenon. Most depressions present with some somatic complaints in addition to affective and cognitive ones. About one half of all depressions seen by primary care physicians initially present predominantly or exclusively with somatic symptoms. Many of these depressions are not recognized or are misdiagnosed and mistreated. The possible reasons for this are discussed here. The phenomenon of somatization in depressions and other conditions is reviewed and the interface with other related clinical problems like hypochondriasis and conversion is delineated. It is hypothesized that the proportion of depressions that are masked is positively correlated to the patients' tendency to somatize and negatively correlated to the doctors' ability to recognize depressions that hide behind somatic complaints. Suggestions for the diagnosis and treatment of masked depressions are given.

scholarly journals Normalizing Vision: The Representation and Use of Spectacles and Eyeglasses in Victorian Britain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Almond
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Medical Texts ◽  
Victorian Britain ◽  
Victorian Period ◽  
First Time ◽  
Material Evidence

Abstract This study explores the representation and use of Victorian visual aids, specifically focusing on how the design of spectacle and eyeglass frames shaped ideas of the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ body. It contributes to our understanding of assistive technologies in the Victorian period by showcasing the usefulness of material evidence for exploring how an object was produced and perceived. By placing visual aids in their medical and cultural context for the first time, it will show how the study of spectacle and eyeglass frames develops our understanding of Victorian society more broadly. Contemporaries drew upon industrialization, increasing education, and the proliferation of print to explain a rise in refractive vision ‘errors’. Through exploring the design of three spectacle frames from the London Science Museum’s collections, this study will show how the representations and manufacture of visual aids transformed in response to these wider changes. The material evidence, as well as contemporary newspapers, periodicals, and medical texts, reveal that visual aids evolved from an unusual to a more mainstream device. It argues that visual aids are a unique assistive technology, one that is able to inform our understanding of how Victorians measured the body and constructed ideas of ‘normalcy’ and ‘abnormalcy’.

Hope and anxiety: The study of female embodied experience with assisted reproductive technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-170
Author(s):  
Chengpu Yu ◽  
Wanlin Li ◽  
Mingfen Deng
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Embodied Experience ◽  
Experiences Of Women ◽  
Infertile Patients

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is hailed as “the holy grail” for infertile patients in the mainstream narrative. The existing studies have clearly demonstrated how external social factors shape how ART is to be used, but they ignore the recipients of the technologies, and especially the experiences of women. Based on an investigation conducted in Z hospital’s reproductive center, this article regards embodiment as the methodological orientation for integrating socio-cultural context with female embodied experience in order to show their bio-social entanglement. As fieldwork evidence indicates, ART in practice is far from simple “hope technology”; instead, it throws women into a paradoxical world in which hope and anxiety coexist. Embodied experience, hope, and anxiety are transmitted through the bodies of women, which reveals the inscription of social-cultural context and technical uncertainty on the female body and, meanwhile, women actively learn strategies by which to cope with the technical uncertainty and moral pressures from local culture (including healing the body, folk religion, etc.), so as to hold onto infertility treatment with hope.

Muscular strain as risk factor of somatic symptom of mix anxiety and depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S406-S406
Author(s):  
M. Bhadar ◽  
S. Asghar ◽  
Z. Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Somatic Symptom ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Muscular Tension ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionSomatic symptoms in depression are not uncommon. There is increased sicidality, poor prognosis, and increased risk of relapse. Neurological and l muscloskeletal symptoms can be explained on basis of increased muscular tension in the body.MethodsAn internet search was made using key words muscular tension, SSRIs depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms.ResultsNinety-eight percent patients reported at least one of somatic symptoms. Forty-five percent reported six somatic symptom. GIT symptoms in 67% patients. Fatigue in 78% % of patients. Weakness in body parts 45% and headache in 43% to 65%. Chest pain more common in male. Patient over 40 showed pain in limbs or joints. Number of symptoms was directly related to severity of depression.DiscussionIncreased muscular tension is one component of mix anxiety and depression. Main nerves and their branches pass in between muscular bellies. When there is increased muscular tone, it puts extra compression on major nerves and their branches. This will cause dysesthesia in body parts. Stretching of muscles produce pain due to hypoxia. This produces headache, strain neck and backache pain in chest. Fatigue is result of over consumption of energy due to hypertonia. One of their side effect is of SSRIs is muscular hypertonia which will not be very helpful for these symptoms. Drugs like tricyclics, SNRI can have better results when used alone, gabapentine, pregabline tinazidine used as adjunct can alleviate symptoms. Non-pharmacological treatment includes massage, relaxation technique, and warm water therapy.ConclusionSomatic symptoms of mix anxiety and depression should be important consideration in its treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Somatization in Primary Care: A Comparative Survey of Immigrants from Various Ethnic Groups in Rome, Italy

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Aragona ◽  
Lorenzo Tarsitani ◽  
Francesco Colosimo ◽  
Barbara Martinelli ◽  
Hassan Raad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Somatic Complaints ◽  
Central Americans ◽  
Primary Care Unit ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
South Central ◽  
Current Prevalence ◽  
Comparative Survey

Objectives: Those responsible for interviewing immigrants in primary care settings often underestimate the importance of somatic symptoms arising from psychological distress. This study investigates the current prevalence of somatization in immigrants, and evaluates the comparative rates of somatic complaints in four ethnic groups (Caucasians, Asians, South/Center Americans, and Africans). Methods: We studied the 301 consecutive outpatients (aged between 16 and 70 years) attending the “Caritas” primary care unit for immigrants in Rome (Italy) from January to December 2003, all of whom completed the 21-item version of the Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI-21). Patients scoring 14 or more on the BSI-21 were considered at risk for somatization. Results: The current prevalence of somatization was 35.2%; 62.3% of the somatizers were women. A multiple regression analysis adjusting for the possible confounding effects of sex, age, education, and months of stay in Italy showed that South/Central Americans had significantly higher somatization scores than the other three groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest a high probability of somatization syndromes in immigrant patients. South/Central Americans tend to somatize more than other ethnic groups. A psychosomatic approach may be useful for immigrants in primary care settings.

The use of chatbots as supportive agents for people seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction: A systematic review. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Ogilvie ◽  
Jerome Carson ◽  
Julie Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
The Body ◽  
Alcohol Addiction ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Qualitative Work ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

BACKGROUND The use of chatbots in healthcare is an area of study receiving increased academic interest. As the knowledge base grows, the granularity in the level of research is being refined, seeing more targeted work in specific areas of healthcare, for example, chatbots for anxiety and depression, cancer care, and pregnancy support. This paper focuses on the targeted application of chatbots in drug and alcohol addiction. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to systematically review and summarise the research conducted on the use of chatbots in the field of addiction, specifically the use of chatbots as supportive agents for those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. METHODS A systematic search of bibliographic databases using the broad search criteria of “chatbot and addiction,” identified papers for screening. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool were used, which resulted in the quality assessment and review of 5 papers. RESULTS Although the body of research in this field is limited, what has been published shows promising results. A combination of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies were reviewed, among which statistically significant findings were reported on the efficacy of chatbots targeted at drug and alcohol addiction. These findings were also substantiated in the qualitative work reviewed. A strong message of caution was conveyed however on the ethical implications of using chatbots to afford support to addicted individuals. CONCLUSIONS The literature reviewed shows that more work is needed to appreciate solutions that leverage existing data, such as big data available from social media, or that which is accessed by prevalent market leading chatbots. It also highlighted ethical concerns over the use of a non-human agent to afford support to those with drug and alcohol addiction. It was reported however, that statistically significant results were returned for ‘bespoke’ chatbots in this area of healthcare, setting a promising foundation for future work.

Parasomnias

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
KyoungBin Im
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Slow Wave Sleep ◽  
Rem Sleep Behavior Disorder ◽  
Behavior Disorder ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Related Phenomenon ◽  
Sleep Behavior ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual

Parasomnias have long been recognized as part of sleep-related disorders or diseases in the mental disorders classification system such as Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Nevertheless, many parasomnia symptoms are considered as a transient deviation from the norm in otherwise normal subjects due to disrupted status of consciousness. Sleep states are classified as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep; similarly, parasomnias are classified as NREM-related parasomnias and REM-related parasomnias. NREM-related parasomnias share common pathophysiology of arousal-related phenomenon out of slow-wave sleep. Although listed as REM parasomnia disorders, nightmares and sleep paralysis are still considered comorbid symptoms or signs of other sleep disorders or mental disorders. Only REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is considered a relatively homogenous disease entity among all parasomnia diagnoses. Although RBD is the most newly added disorder entity in parasomnias, it is the most rigorously studied parasomnia such as RBD is strongly and clearly associated with concomitant or future developing neurodegenerative disease. This review contains 1 figure, 4 tables, and 18 references. Key Words: confusional arousals, dream enactment, pseudo-RBD, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep-related eating, sleep terror, sleepwalking

Is co-production working well in recovery colleges? Emergent themes from a systematic narrative review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Louise Bester ◽  
Anne McGlade ◽  
Eithne Darragh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Social Care ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practitioner Attitudes ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Impact

Purpose “Co-production” is a process in health and social care wherein service users and practitioners work in partnership. Recovery colleges (RCs) are educational establishments offering mental health education; a cornerstone feature is that courses are designed and delivered in parity by both mental health practitioners and “peers” – people with lived experience of mental illness. This paper aims to consider, through the identification of key themes, whether co-production within RCs is operating successfully. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a systematic review of qualitative literature. Relevant concept groups were systematically searched using three bibliographic databases: Medline, Social Care Online and Scopus. Articles were quality appraised and then synthesised through inductive thematic analysis and emergent trends identified. Findings Synthesis identified three key themes relating to the impact of co-production in RCs: practitioner attitudes, power dynamics between practitioners and service users, and RCs’ relationships with their host organisations. As a result of RC engagement, traditional practitioner/patient hierarchies were found to be eroding. Practitioners felt they were more person-centred. RCs can model good co-productive practices to their host organisations. The review concluded, with some caveats, that RC co-production was of high fidelity. Originality/value RC research is growing, but the body of evidence remains relatively small. Most of what exists examine the impact of RCs on individuals’ overall recovery and mental health; there is a limited empirical investigation into whether their flagship feature of parity between peers and practitioners is genuine.

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