About the Book
Humans throughout history have described a peculiar state between wakefulness and sleep during which they are consciously aware of their surroundings, but physically paralyzed. Sleep paralysis is also commonly accompanied by high levels of fear, feelings of suffocation, and hallucinations (i.e., waking dreams). Early interpretations of this event were that it was an actual attack by malevolent and supernatural entities such as demons, ghosts, or witches.
Some of these beliefs persist to the present day in the form of nocturnal visitations by extraterrestrials and shadow people.Sleep Paralysis: Historical, Psychological, and
Medical Perspectives offers the first comprehensive examination of sleep paralysis from scientific and cultural perspectives. Drs. Brian Sharpless and Karl Doghramji synthesize the many literatures while providing practical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep paralysis. Included are medication suggestions and a new psychotherapy manual for mental health professionals. The result is a volume that illuminates the cultural, medical, and intellectual importance of this
understudied phenomenon.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. What are Sleep Paralysis and Isolated Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 2. Should Sleep Paralysis be more Frequently Assessed In Research Studies and Clinical Practice?
Chapter 3. The History of Sleep Paralysis in Folklore and Myth
Chapter 4. Sleep Paralysis in Art and Literature
Chapter 5. Early Medicine and the "Nightmare"
Chapter 6. Sleep Paralysis: Typical Symptoms and Associated Features
Chapter 7. Prevalence of Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 8. Sleep Paralysis and Medical Conditions
Chapter 9. Sleep Paralysis and Psychopathology
Chapter 10. Theories on the Etiology of Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 11. Diagnostic Criteria, Diagnostic Issues, and Possible Subtypes of Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 12. Review of Measures Used to Assess Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 13. Differential Diagnosis of Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 14. Folk Remedies for Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 15. Psychosocial Approaches to the Treatment of Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 16. Psychopharmacology for Sleep Paralysis
Chapter 17. Conclusions and Future Directions
Appendix A. Terms for Sleep Paralysis
Appendix B. Fearful Isolated Sleep Paralysis Interview
Appendix C. A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual for Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis: CBT-ISP
Appendix D. An Adherence Measure for CBT-ISPAppendix D: An Adherence Measure for CBT-ISP
About the Author :
Brian A. Sharpless, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Psychology Clinic at Washington State University
Karl Doghramji, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University; a Medical Director at Jefferson Sleep Disorders Center; and Program Director at Fellowship in Sleep Medicine.
Review :
"This well-written, comprehensive, and easily readable book is destined to become the definitive resource for anyone-professional or lay-wishing to learn about any aspect of sleep paralysis. The authors have done an excellent job in demystifying this fascinating and common condition, proposing the first systematic approach to the evaluation and treatment of this mysterious condition."
-- Mark W. Mahowald, MD, Professor, Dept. of Neurology, University of MN Medical School (Retired); Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
"Dr. Sharpless and Dr. Doghramji have produced an easy-to-read book which provides the most comprehensive and advanced knowledge of sleep paralysis in literature today. The authors have nicely documented sleep paralysis, a phenomenon noted throughout human history and across all cultures. Many folk myths remain entrenched in different cultures, and knowledge of these beliefs is critical to providing culturally sensitive care. This book will be of practical
value to clinicians and appeal to people interested in philosophy, anthropology, religion, and the creative arts."
- Thomas W. Uhde, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Director, Sleep and Anxiety Disorders Treatment and Research Unit, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
"Sleep specialists are well aware of the subject of sleep paralysis because it is a member of the so-called narcolepsy tetrad. However, the exact mechanism by which strong emotion precipitates sleep paralysis in victims of narcolepsy is still unclear.
Not well known by the general public is that sleep paralysis occurs as an isolated phenomenon in otherwise normal individuals. Because most individuals are unaware that this is a normal part of REM sleep, the inability to move is incredibly terrifying. Given that prior knowledge of this phenomenon would avoid a long period of fear and worry for some individuals, it is my fervent hope that Dr. Sharpless and Dr. Doghramji's book will be at the top of the best seller list." -- William Dement,
MD, PhD, Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine
"This book provides the most comprehensive coverage of sleep paralysis to date. In addition to presenting an excellent summary of what we currently know about this strange and fascinating phenomenon, Sharpless and Doghramji highlight areas where further investigation is required. This volume will be of great value to researchers and practitioners treating those who suffer from sleep paralysis, as well as to sufferers themselves." -- Christopher French, PhD
CPsychol FBPsS, Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, Goldsmiths College, University of London
"This is a very welcome and important contribution to the study of sleep paralysis. There is a growing literature on this fascinating phenomenon, and the volume does an admirable job of summarizing and synthesizing material." -- Devon E. Hinton, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
"The only current book discussing sleep paralysis from a clinical, psychological, and medical perspective, Dr. Sharpless and Dr. Doghramji take a balanced multifaceted approach to understanding complex sources of sleep paralysis and associated experiences. The book provides an accessible overview of cultural, historical, mythic, and psychological aspects of sleep paralysis phenomena before turning to a strong focus on clinical aspects. A thorough treatment of
sleep paralysis, the book provides a very good introduction to the topic and a quick reference for researchers and clinicians." -- James A. Cheyne, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology,
University of Waterloo
"One of the great mysteries of sleep is the paralysis associated with REM sleep. This
volume does an outstanding job in demystifying this phenomenon. It puts sleep paralysis
in a historic perspective and sleep physiology framework, as well as the perspective of
sleep disorders. Both the general public and sleep clinician can appreciate it. This volume
unravels one of the great mysteries of sleep and its disorders." -- Thomas Roth, PhD, Director Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Hospital
"In this fine collaboration, Sharpless and Doghramji explore the long history of a
frightening intermittent sleep disorder we now recognize as one of the symptoms of the
narcolepsy tetrad. The authors recognize a larger group who experience sleep paralysis
as an isolated phenomenon. These present differently in different historical and cultural
contexts from being possessed through witchcraft to being kidnapped by space invaders.
Beyond the enjoyment of reading this book, the authors offer detailed treatment
programs for those suffering from this disorder and extensive references to encourage
further diagnostic recognition and treatment outcome research." -- Rosalind Cartwright, PhD, FAASM Professor Emeritus, Rush University Medical Center
"This is a unique, superb, and enlightening book on sleep paralysis, a very common phenomenon but rarely written about from a scientific, historical, and social point of view. Anyone interested in how this common experience has affected human thought should read this book. This is a wonderful addition to the psychiatric literature."
--DOODY'S
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Featured in the American journal of Psychiatry
