Managing the phenomenology of sleep paralysis: re-evaluating theories and challenging conventional understanding

This qualitative study investigates how individuals navigate and interpret their sleep
paralysis (SP) experiences from a lived experience perspective. The research aims to deepen understanding of these experiences, examining sociological themes such as stigma,
disclosure, and the impact on identity to enrich our conceptualisation of the phenomenon
from the viewpoint of those directly affected.

There are no conclusive reasons why SP happens. Most research frames it as a neurological
disorder, and scholarly work on SP from a spiritual perspective is limited. This poses a
challenge for individuals whose experiences fall outside the scientific framework,
encompassing phenomena that are metaphysical, supernatural, and otherworldly. Such a
mismatch impacts individuals who are without support, reluctant to disclose their SP and
experience stigma whilst their health and well-being are affected.

The research used a combined methodological approach beginning with an
autoethnographic study grounded in my own long-term experiences. This provided the
foundation for the study. I then conducted semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 29
men and women aged 18 and above who experience SP, to examine how these experiences
are made sense of, managed and negotiated. The autoethnographic and interview data
were analysed in parallel to identify both individual and collective themes.

The study found that the conventional term ‘sleep paralysis’ no longer sufficiently
encapsulates the phenomenon's complexity, as it narrowly addresses only the physiological
and scientific elements, namely ‘sleep’ and ‘paralysis’. This has led to the proposal of a revised and more robust, inclusive terminology, Extraordinary Sleep Phenomena (ESP), to
more accurately capture the breadth and complexity of the experience. Additionally, an
extensive and consistent list of features and characteristics has been identified that offer a
more comprehensive phenomenological understanding of the experience. The study also
highlights the detrimental effects of SP on individuals' lives, with many experiencers facing
impacts on identity and well-being. These findings demonstrate an urgent need to expand
the contemporary phenomenology of SP and the framework in which it is understood.