Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? I only get it occasionally, but even then, I don’t take it lightly. After reading a few articles, I realized sleep paralysis could actually be linked to health issues—not the spiritual or supernatural forces people often talk about.

Take this case of a young woman that was recently reported: she thought she was just having sleep paralysis, but when she finally went to the hospital, it turned out she had a serious illness. Terrifying, isn’t it?

After Many Days of Sleep Paralysis, a 24-Year-Old Woman Received a Devastating Diagnosis

Ms. Liu, a 24-year-old from Shenzhen, had recently been experiencing numbness in her limbs, trouble moving, and difficulty breathing. She often had episodes of sleep paralysis.

"The first time it happened, I woke up feeling completely drained. Since I was on my period, I thought that might be the reason," Ms. Liu shared. "But the second day, I experienced sleep paralysis so intense I could barely wake up."

Repeated sleep paralysis episodes left her exhausted and unable to use her arms or legs effectively. Realizing she couldn’t keep going like this, she sought medical attention at Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital in Shenzhen.

The diagnosis: acute Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Because her condition had worsened quickly, she had to be transferred to the ICU for emergency treatment.

What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

According to Dr. Yang Hongquan, Director of the Neurology Department at the hospital, Guillain-Barré Syndrome can manifest with unclear speech, difficulty swallowing and breathing, numbness, and fatigue. It’s a form of polyneuropathy caused by inflammation of multiple nerves, often triggered by an autoimmune response after viral infections or immunizations.

The syndrome progresses rapidly and can become life-threatening if not treated in time. Many patients mistake it for spiritual disturbances like sleep paralysis, when in reality, it may stem from respiratory failure.

In Ms. Liu’s case, plasma exchange and immunotherapy helped reduce her symptoms and gradually restored her strength.

What Is Sleep Paralysis, Really?

This case shows that we shouldn’t immediately jump to spiritual explanations when experiencing sleep paralysis—it could be a health issue.

Sleep paralysis, also known as sleep atonia, typically occurs just before falling asleep or right upon waking up. It leaves sufferers feeling paralyzed—they are conscious but unable to move. It often feels like being pinned down by an unseen force. Many also experience terrifying hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

Sleep paralysis often begins in adolescence and may become more frequent in one's 20s or 30s.

The Science Behind It

Research shows that sleep paralysis occurs when the body continues to inhibit muscle movement during REM sleep, even though the brain has already awakened. This causes a temporary state of paralysis while the mind is fully alert.

Sleep cycles alternate between two stages: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement). Each cycle lasts about 90 minutes, with the majority of time spent in NREM sleep. During REM sleep, although the body is relaxed, the eyes move rapidly and dreams occur.

Sleep paralysis happens when the body remains immobile during REM sleep even though the brain has awakened. In this state, the brain becomes hyper-aware and overreacts to perceived threats, triggering the feeling of being paralyzed.

People who live under chronic stress or mental strain are more susceptible to sleep paralysis. If you experience it frequently, it's a good idea to get your health checked at a hospital.