Sleep Paralysis

[Beautiful_Immunity]

Who here has it?
I have been suffering from sleep Paralysis for around two years and I am beginning to tire of never sleeping or being afraid to sleep. I hate becoming paralyzed not even beig able to speak when I feel the need to call out to someone during this terrifying event. Its not a great sensation or a great event to deal with. It happens to me more than once in one night. I'll sit up and think that I am okay yet when I lie down and try to sleep again... It happens all over again, back to square one I go. It - for me- usually feels like someone is placing all their weight down onto me and I can't move a muscle.. I can't even open my eyes at times. I'll get the heavy feeling someone is watching me yet when I awake no one is there. The only control that I do have over my body is the ability to blink and breathe. The only way I can bring myself out of it is by breathing rabidly thus awaking the rest of my body. It is terrifying, I have almost seccumbed to the level of almost being afraid to sleep... I stay awake until I have no choice...
Back in times, they used to think of it as demons visiting them during their dreams, as well as this being correlated with Alien obductions, however I know what is wrong, I just need to find a solution to end it.. I need a good night sleep my body is tired, and I am mentally tired HELP!
I just need to know if I am alone in this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7aAe0mqY9c&feature=related

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

Bump.. No one has it?? Guess I'm on my own with this one lol

 

[LindaC781]

Hi there B. I. Have you talked to any professionals about this? They may have some suggestions..I haven't heard of this before - but thanks for posting! Very interesting - especially the pathophys...When I say "professional" I mean MD like in those that specialize in narcolepsy and sleep disorders...if you want, I could refer you to some Pulmonary doctors in the hospital I work at that do exactly this...

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

^ That would be great!
I haven't actually I didn't have the time to go
and see what hospitals were in my area
I should take a look into this because it is becoming
a huge problem.
A friend of mine as well has Sleep Apnea and would go to a specialist about his condition
perhaps I should go and see that same doctor he saw.
Thanks so much Linda for replying! :flowers: !
Its more than appreciated trust me!

~BI

 

[memyselfni]

This happened to me alot as a teenager. Never knew what caused it. My mom said it was demons. But when i got older i read up on it and seen that it was sleep paralysis....I haven't had this happen in a long time....

 

[raisa]

I never heard of this.
I never had this either, I sometimes do have a 'dead arm'. When I have that, I can't move or feel anything with that arm.First time I had that was really scary but now I know it'll go away.
But I don't know if this is the same thing...
Anyway, I wish you all the best, I hope you can find a solution :flowers:

 

[The One.]

^ Ihave had that dead arm too I don't like it :no:

I've heard about this sleep paralysis before, I think it has been discussed here or in MJJF before too..
I'm happy to say I don't have it
I agree with Linda, you should go and talk about it to some doctor, B.I. It would probably help.

I hope you get over this, it sounds so freaky.

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

This happened to me alot as a teenager. Never knew what caused it. My mom said it was demons. But when i got older i read up on it and seen that it was sleep paralysis....I haven't had this happen in a long time....

My gosh! thank god I am not the only one in this! Its terrifying, sometimes I thought of it as Ghastly encounters due to some things that has happened within my life yet I dismissed it.
Did it just stop happening??

I never heard of this.
I never had this either, I sometimes do have a 'dead arm'. When I have that, I can't move or feel anything with that arm.First time I had that was really scary but now I know it'll go away.
But I don't know if this is the same thing...
Anyway, I wish you all the best, I hope you can find a solution :flowers:

you might have the milder symptoms of Sleep Paralysis, it could start with the arms and go all over the body :flowers:
Thank so much you guys your comments really so mean a lot!
Now I feel a bit better that I am not the only one of this board that may have had the disorder.
LOL thanks for your comments! they really do mean a lot!

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

^ Ihave had that dead arm too I don't like it :no:

I've heard about this sleep paralysis before, I think it has been discussed here or in MJJF before too..
I'm happy to say I don't have it
I agree with Linda, you should go and talk about it to some doctor, B.I. It would probably help.

I hope you get over this, it sounds so freaky.

Thank you! *Hugs*!
LOL I hope you never do have it The One, its a
terrifying experience and several panic attacks follow afterward.
I don't know where I acquired it from, it started in 06 I think
Yeah I might have to go see a doctor about this
I refuse to say professional rofl I am not crazy :lol:!

Guys I just hope that "dead arm" doesn't progress into the sleep disorder
I don't like the sound of the paralyzed arm, sounds all too familiar.

 

[Kinga]

I used to have some panic attacks when I woke up suddenly sometimes. I think it's not the same about BI speaks but still a very bad feeling. :sad:

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

I used to have some panic attacks when I woke up suddenly sometimes. I think it's not the same about BI speaks but still a very bad feeling. :sad:

Yeah, I have been diagnosed with a anxiety disorder (seems as though Sleep paralysis has taken over the disorder) I know how it feels! I think sometimes it can tie into sleep Paralysis, almost the same panic sensation yet on a heavier level.
As always your comments mean a lot! :wub::better:

 

[cryingangel]

I don't suffer from it, thank God, but I have a good friend who does and she's terrified. :no: Just as you described it, the same thing happens to her. She's seriously wondering whether a spirit or something is haunting her, lol.

Thank you so much for posting all that info!!! It's very interesting, I'll pass it on to her too

:hug:

 

[raisa]

you might have the milder symptoms of Sleep Paralysis, it could start with the arms and go all over the body :flowers:
Thank so much you guys your comments really so mean a lot!
Now I feel a bit better that I am not the only one of this board that may have had the disorder.
LOL thanks for your comments! they really do mean a lot!

That's scary!!! Did it start with just an arm when you got it?
I'm gonna try not to worry about it too much... but it is kinda freaky. Though I think I only had it about 3 times 2 years.
The first time was sooo weird. I woke up, I wanted to lift my arm and I though I lifted my arm but I didn't. Everything was dark so I didn't know where my arm was. It felt very weird when I found my arm, I didnt know an arm was so heavy LOL. I lifted my arm and started waving with it and then it started to 'live again'. Did it go the same way with you, theOne?

 

[LindaC781]

Oh B.I....if you can, look for specialists in your area that deal with sleep disorders...you'd be surprised what they can do to help. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[LindaC781]

^ That would be great!
I haven't actually I didn't have the time to go
and see what hospitals were in my area
I should take a look into this because it is becoming
a huge problem.
A friend of mine as well has Sleep Apnea and would go to a specialist about his condition
perhaps I should go and see that same doctor he saw.
Thanks so much Linda for replying! :flowers: !
Its more than appreciated trust me!

~BI

Is this the same thing? Some times I dream that I can't move...and have trouble breathing. I know it's a dream but I wake up remembering what that felt like - and yea, it IS very scary...

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

I don't suffer from it, thank God, but I have a good friend who does and she's terrified. :no: Just as you described it, the same thing happens to her. She's seriously wondering whether a spirit or something is haunting her, lol.

Thank you so much for posting all that info!!! It's very interesting, I'll pass it on to her too

:hug:

:no:!! I am so sorry about your friend please tell her that I go through the same thing, I feel her fear! :better: Its not great or fun BAH! , its so terrifying to me!
Perhaps you can show her the information that I have given and hopefully
it can shed some light on her problem! Good to know that I am not the only one!
I'm glad I could provide information for her!

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

Is this the same thing? Some times I dream that I can't move...and have trouble breathing. I know it's a dream but I wake up remembering what that felt like - and yea, it IS very scary...

Yeah somewhat yet Sleep Paralysis, you are awake and aware of everything around you, you can hear everything, yet you cannot move at all. Its somewhat like that its terrifying indeed.

Oh B.I....if you can, look for specialists in your area that deal with sleep disorders...you'd be surprised what they can do to help. I wish you the best of luck!

I surely will! I just want a decent night sleep LOL I would enjoy that more than anything!

Thanks you guys for all your comments! you don't know how much they have helped! :yes:! :wub: Just simply as replying is a big help, the smallest things bring relief. However in this thread I will keep updates! :cheeky:
But thanks again you guys!

 

[cryingangel]

:no:!! I am so sorry about your friend please tell her that I go through the same thing, I feel her fear! :better: Its not great or fun BAH! , its so terrifying to me!
Perhaps you can show her the information that I have given and hopefully
it can shed some light on her problem! Good to know that I am not the only one!
I'm glad I could provide information for her!

I've already given her everything you posted, she was very grateful! She said she really needed something to clarify things at least a bit for her.

I can imagine it's not pleasant, I feel for anyone going through something like this :no:

I sometimes wake up in the dead of the night and see things in my room, either moving or standing, but they look so incredibly real and I know for sure that I'm awake! Yet I always manage to convince myself that I'm imagining things and force myself into going to sleep again. It's scary for a while, but after it's happened to you a few times, you get used to the idea it's not real.

I hope you'll be able to heal and sleep normally soon, B.I. :flowers: :hug:

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

I've already given her everything you posted, she was very grateful! She said she really needed something to clarify things at least a bit for her.

I can imagine it's not pleasant, I feel for anyone going through something like this :no:

I sometimes wake up in the dead of the night and see things in my room, either moving or standing, but they look so incredibly real and I know for sure that I'm awake! Yet I always manage to convince myself that I'm imagining things and force myself into going to sleep again. It's scary for a while, but after it's happened to you a few times, you get used to the idea it's not real.

I hope you'll be able to heal and sleep normally soon, B.I. :flowers: :hug:

 

[LindaC781]

Thank s Crying angel your comments mean a lot!
I hope your friend is able to get through this like I
Sometimes in Sleep Poralysis you will hear things or see things
it is however part of the phenomenon. you may hear a buzzing noise
or you may see shadows, sometimes laughter etc. Check out the youtube videos and see if there is anything pertaining to you there.

thanks and tell your friend that shes very welcome for the information!
LOL and I hope those things stop happening to you Crying Angel sounds terrifying!

UPDATE:

Well I think my issue might be stress related.
I went to sleep last night after getting some things done
and found that it only happened once unlike other
times it would happen at least three to four times in a row.
I am going to self evaluate and hopefully find out whats really wrong before I head to a
doctor.. I think I can find out whats wrong myself yet I still have the numbers of
Doctors on hand in case I hit a dead end!
anyhow thanks for checking this thread! :flowers:

B.I., sometimes our subconscious selves dictates to us what we will experience when we are asleep - that is the time when we are most vulnerable. This is great that you may identify this with a load of stress. I'd try relaxation techniques. They help immensely with stress. Also yoga, meditation, and even hypnosis.....Good luck to you. And please keep us posted - I want to know how things are going for you. No, it has NOTHING to do with your sanity level, but it may have EVERYTHING to do with stress. And if it helps sorting things out by posting here, go for it!! I'll listen...

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

B.I., sometimes our subconscious selves dictates to us what we will experience when we are asleep - that is the time when we are most vulnerable. This is great that you may identify this with a load of stress. I'd try relaxation techniques. They help immensely with stress. Also yoga, meditation, and even hypnosis.....Good luck to you. And please keep us posted - I want to know how things are going for you. No, it has NOTHING to do with your sanity level, but it may have EVERYTHING to do with stress. And if it helps sorting things out by posting here, go for it!! I'll listen...

I agree, I really do. I didn't realize the change in a better sleep with the paralysis and then being stressed, thus it increasing the more stressed I was.
I am taking meditation, and walking to clear my head, associating myself
with non stress related things.. I am much more relaxed today
haha I did at a time think I was going insane LOL but that isn't the case I know.
I shall do that Linda, thank you you listen, and to you all who are listening Big thanks!
I shall keep you all posted! :flowers:

 

[LindaC781]

I agree, I really do. I didn't realize the change in a better sleep with the paralysis and then being stressed, thus it increasing the more stressed I was.
I am taking meditation, and walking to clear my head, associating myself
with non stress related things.. I am much more relaxed today
haha I did at a time think I was going insane LOL but that isn't the case I know.
I shall do that Linda, thank you you listen, and to you all who are listening Big thanks!
I shall keep you all posted! :flowers:

Do you know about this page, B.I.??

http://sleepdisorders.about.com/cs/hallucinations/a/terrorparalysis.htm

Stress is a big part of this B.I. Sleep IS the one time in our lives when we are completely helpless and vulnerable. And some do not like that. Stress can get into that subconscious mind, and manifest itself in this sleep paralysis...

Read this also...http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/prevent.html

Here are some steps to help...from MSN...
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sleep-disorders/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100164132

Health Topics: Sleep Disorders

@import url("http://blstc.msn.com/br/chan/hlt/css/1/health_article.css");

Sleep Paralysis: Wide Awake and Dreaming


Waking up and not being able to move can be frightening, but there is an explanation.


By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness

Q: What causes sleep paralysis? Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I can’t move or speak. It feels like someone is holding me down. Finally I just go back to sleep.
A: Sleep paralysis is caused by a timing delay between our brain and body. It leads to an awareness of being awake, yet is accompanied by a frightening inability to move our arms or legs, utter a single word or cry out for help. It may be accompanied by unexplained sights and sounds, or even a feeling that someone else is in the room. Needless to say, it is a frightening condition that gets one’s attention.
While much more common in those under the age of 30, sleep paralysis can occur at any age. It usually shows itself in the dreaming period of sleep known as rapid eye movement, or REM. During this time our muscles (except those involved with breathing or eye movement) are temporarily weakened by signals from the brain that keeps them from moving or otherwise acting out our dreams. If we awaken from REM before this dreaming stage is complete, our brain is on full alert status while our muscular system is still waking up and getting re-activated from its sleepy state. This has the potential to create the panicked feeling of not being able to move or speak at our brain’s command. Even though this seems to last a long time, normal movement and speech usually returns within 10 seconds to several minutes.
While linked to those with the neurological condition known as narcolepsy, sleep paralysis can affect anyone. It is more common in individuals with sleep disorders, small children, shift workers, those who are experiencing increased stress or anxiety, are sleep deprived, lie on their backs, or have a family history of sleep paralysis. It is estimated to affect between 40 percent to 50 percent of people at least once in their lifetimes, and about 1 percent to 2 percent on a regular basis. Clues that you may have sleep paralysis include:

• Onset immediately upon awakening or just prior to falling asleep.
• Inability to speak or utter a sound until your whole body “wakes up”.
• In spite of being conscious, you cannot move your arms or legs for a brief period upon awakening or just prior to falling asleep.
• Unexplained fear.
• Visual or auditory hallucinations that may be accompanied by unexplained smells.
• Sensing an unexplained “presence” in the room.
• More common during times of stress.
• A “floating” sensation.
• A pressure feeling on your chest (this should be reported to your personal physician).

The following steps have the potential to greatly decrease episodes of sleep paralysis:

• Establishing and maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• Stress reduction techniques
• No large meals or caffeinated products within three hours of bedtime
• Sleeping on the side and not on your back
• Regular exercise

I am concerned because it appears you are experiencing frequent episodes of sleep paralysis. I would encourage you to keep a diary of your symptoms (paralysis, strange sounds or smells, others), as well as how often they occur. It is also important to make an appointment with a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The information you provide will be extremely helpful. Additionally, the sleep specialist will most likely order a test known as a polysomnogram. This is a sleep study that records specific activities (skeletal muscle tone, patterns of REM sleep, others) while you are asleep. All this data will be used to determine whether you have a sleep disorder, and if so, what methods (including medication) will be used to alleviate the symptoms.

 

[Beautiful_Immunity]

Do you know about this page, B.I.??

http://sleepdisorders.about.com/cs/hallucinations/a/terrorparalysis.htm

Stress is a big part of this B.I. Sleep IS the one time in our lives when we are completely helpless and vulnerable. And some do not like that. Stress can get into that subconscious mind, and manifest itself in this sleep paralysis...

Read this also...http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/prevent.html

Here are some steps to help...from MSN...
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sleep-disorders/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100164132

Health Topics: Sleep Disorders

@import url("http://blstc.msn.com/br/chan/hlt/css/1/health_article.css");

Sleep Paralysis: Wide Awake and Dreaming


Waking up and not being able to move can be frightening, but there is an explanation.


By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness

Q: What causes sleep paralysis? Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I can’t move or speak. It feels like someone is holding me down. Finally I just go back to sleep.
A: Sleep paralysis is caused by a timing delay between our brain and body. It leads to an awareness of being awake, yet is accompanied by a frightening inability to move our arms or legs, utter a single word or cry out for help. It may be accompanied by unexplained sights and sounds, or even a feeling that someone else is in the room. Needless to say, it is a frightening condition that gets one’s attention.
While much more common in those under the age of 30, sleep paralysis can occur at any age. It usually shows itself in the dreaming period of sleep known as rapid eye movement, or REM. During this time our muscles (except those involved with breathing or eye movement) are temporarily weakened by signals from the brain that keeps them from moving or otherwise acting out our dreams. If we awaken from REM before this dreaming stage is complete, our brain is on full alert status while our muscular system is still waking up and getting re-activated from its sleepy state. This has the potential to create the panicked feeling of not being able to move or speak at our brain’s command. Even though this seems to last a long time, normal movement and speech usually returns within 10 seconds to several minutes.
While linked to those with the neurological condition known as narcolepsy, sleep paralysis can affect anyone. It is more common in individuals with sleep disorders, small children, shift workers, those who are experiencing increased stress or anxiety, are sleep deprived, lie on their backs, or have a family history of sleep paralysis. It is estimated to affect between 40 percent to 50 percent of people at least once in their lifetimes, and about 1 percent to 2 percent on a regular basis. Clues that you may have sleep paralysis include:

• Onset immediately upon awakening or just prior to falling asleep.
• Inability to speak or utter a sound until your whole body “wakes up”.
• In spite of being conscious, you cannot move your arms or legs for a brief period upon awakening or just prior to falling asleep.
• Unexplained fear.
• Visual or auditory hallucinations that may be accompanied by unexplained smells.
• Sensing an unexplained “presence” in the room.
• More common during times of stress.
• A “floating” sensation.
• A pressure feeling on your chest (this should be reported to your personal physician).

The following steps have the potential to greatly decrease episodes of sleep paralysis:

• Establishing and maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• Stress reduction techniques
• No large meals or caffeinated products within three hours of bedtime
• Sleeping on the side and not on your back
• Regular exercise

I am concerned because it appears you are experiencing frequent episodes of sleep paralysis. I would encourage you to keep a diary of your symptoms (paralysis, strange sounds or smells, others), as well as how often they occur. It is also important to make an appointment with a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The information you provide will be extremely helpful. Additionally, the sleep specialist will most likely order a test known as a polysomnogram. This is a sleep study that records specific activities (skeletal muscle tone, patterns of REM sleep, others) while you are asleep. All this data will be used to determine whether you have a sleep disorder, and if so, what methods (including medication) will be used to alleviate the symptoms.

The first link you posted Linda does help a lot infact it helps so much I am sure of it now that it is stress related lol. Funny thing is like the woman in this link I am diagnosed with Stomach Ulcers (stress related) and have been prescribed medication (Belladonna Alkaloids) (Used to treat stomach ulcers irritable bowel syndrome)
One other symptom described here, is when it begins to happen your body becomes to fatigued, you can barely keep your eyes open even though 5 minuets before the episode or before sleeping you don't feel fatigued at all, just rested. once you close your eyes and drift into sleep, it starts for me, I can't move and the weight feels like its been placed on my chest (and if on my stomach the weight is on my back) and it does happen immediately when I go to sleep, and waking up.
immediately after my body "awakens" a panic attack occurs from the fear I experienced.
I shall try meditating and other rituals to calm my body down and see if the episodes decrease.
Thanks so much Linda for your information, and for posting so that others can find out what exactly is wrong as well! :yes: :huggy: :clapping:

btw Crying Angel, please show the information that Linda has found to your friend as well!

 

[libsta81]

Bump.. No one has it?? Guess I'm on my own with this one lol

don't feel like ur alone...I have it...it used to happen alot more when i was a teenager...not so much anymore though, only when im stressed...
It can get very scary at times...you feel like everyhting is totally out of ur control...
I used to get really freaked out when i was younger and i would be consious but at the same time still in REM sleep and i would be having a nightmare about some dark presence in the room with me...but i was paralysed and couldn't move or talk!! Its different to a normal nightmare because u are actually awake but for some reason are still dreaming..and u are fully aware that u are awake and paralysed!

Its nice to know that im not the only who has this...not many ppl i know have evn heard of this condition!

 

[LindaC781]

Stress is a big part of this. When you sleep, you can't move anyway, you're unconscious actually. During REM, you have low muscle tone. This is the time of sleep when you are most vulnerable (or you think you are). You have no control over eye movement or muscle tone. This is a control issue. I think that some people get the paralysis because they subconsciously believe they have NO control over the stressful issue, and that in turn translates into this sleep disorder. This actually may be a control issue - where stress takes over and the person feels that he/she has NO control over the issue...

You have to realize, you DO have control. You need to watch your caffeine intake, learn to relax, and de-stress yourself. That will help you deal with the stressfull situation better both awake AND asleep. And, if you watch your caffeine intake, and learn to relax, you WILL be able to get a better night sleep. I wish all who have this to seek out help dealing with this condition. It sounds awful.. and I know what you are talking about.

 

[libsta81]

Stress is a big part of this. When you sleep, you can't move anyway, you're unconscious actually. During REM, you have low muscle tone. This is the time of sleep when you are most vulnerable (or you think you are). You have no control over eye movement or muscle tone. This is a control issue. I think that some people get the paralysis because they subconsciously believe they have NO control over the stressful issue, and that in turn translates into this sleep disorder. This actually may be a control issue - where stress takes over and the person feels that he/she has NO control over the issue...

You have to realize, you DO have control. You need to watch your caffeine intake, learn to relax, and de-stress yourself. That will help you deal with the stressfull situation better both awake AND asleep. And, if you watch your caffeine intake, and learn to relax, you WILL be able to get a better night sleep. I wish all who have this to seek out help dealing with this condition. It sounds awful.. and I know what you are talking about.

I do believe stress has a lot to do with it....when I was a teenager I used to stress all the time...now that I am older and have taken a less stressful attitude to life...I find that I am not really afflicted by this sleep paralysis thing anymore...it comes every now and then (when I am really stressed out) but I can recognise what it is now and don't panick so much about it...

 

[Megan0788]

I have heard of this before. :yes:
I've never experienced it (thank God) but my twin sister has earlier this year. The story she told me was terrifying. She said that she woke up and she saw demons all around the bed and one of them was choking her. They were all chanting something but I forget what it was. We were in our dorm room at the time and I was on the top bunk and she was on the bottom. She said that she was calling my name but nothing came out. She told me about it the very next day, and the ironic thing was that just before she was going to bed, she said that she was wondering if God were really real. There were a lot of things going on in her life at that time that made her want to question. She took it as a sign that she shouldn't doubt his existence.
She has only had it that one time, so I don't think it will be happening again. I can't imagine what it would be like waking up and not being able to control your own body. I really hope that you and whoever else going through this will find a cure because it sounds horrifying!

 

[cryingangel]

btw Crying Angel, please show the information that Linda has found to your friend as well!

I will!!!!

Thank you so much, Linda!!!

I asked my mom about this. (she's a doctor) She said she doesn't know much about the condition, since it's not her speciality, but she agrees that it's most likely stress related or caused by a hectic sleeping schedule. She also pointed that if it happens really often and if there's anything special going on in your life at the moment, you could consider consulting a psychologist. (like Linda said, NOT that it would have anything to do with your sanity, but to help you find some peace of mind )

I'm glad to hear that you've been better and that it's probably stress in your case :hug:

Good luck, B.I. :flowers:

 

[LindaC781]

I think this has a LOT to do with our dependence on caffeine!! If you cut back on the caffeine, you will get some side effects: from
http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.html#withdrawal

I truly believe that a lot of us use WAY too much caffeine for what is good for our bodies!! If you cut back on JUST THAT, you'd be SURPRIZED at how well you sleep!! Just get through these withdrawal symptoms first. It takes about 2 weeks for you to completely withdraw from the caffeine.

SLEEP AND CAFFEINE​

Studies have demonstrated that caffeine disrupts sleep. When caffeine is consumed immediately before bedtime or continuously throughout the day, sleep onset may be delayed, total sleep time reduced, normal stages of sleep altered, and the quality of sleep decreased. Because of its ability to cause insomnia, sleep researchers have used caffeine as a challenge agent in order to study insomnia in healthy volunteers. Caffeine’s effects on sleep appear to be determined by a variety of factors including dose, the time between caffeine ingestion and attempted sleep, and individual differences in sensitivity and/or tolerance to caffeine. The effects of caffeine on sleep are dose-dependent with higher doses showing greater disruption on a number of sleep quality measures. Caffeine administered immediately prior to bedtime or throughout the day has been shown to delay sleep onset, reduce total sleep time, alter the normal stages of sleep, and decrease the reported quality of sleep. There is some evidence to suggest that caffeine taken early in the day also negatively affects nighttime sleep. Caffeine-induced sleep disturbance is greatest among individuals who are not regular caffeine users. Although there is evidence for some tolerance to the sleep disrupting effects of caffeine, complete tolerance may not occur and thus habitual caffeine consumers are still vulnerable to caffeine-induced sleep problems.

​

CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL​

The caffeine withdrawal syndrome has been well-characterized in numerous rigorous double-blind studies. The potential for caffeine withdrawal to cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning is reflected by the inclusion of caffeine withdrawal as an official diagnosis in ICD-10 (World Health Organization) and as a proposed diagnosis in DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association). Although most research on withdrawal has been performed with adults, there is also evidence that children experience withdrawal effects during caffeine abstinence.
Signs and symptoms. The most commonly reported withdrawal symptoms are listed below:
Headache – (often described as being gradual in development and diffuse, and sometimes throbbing and severe)
Fatigue -- (e.g., fatigue, tiredness, lethargy, sluggishness)
Sleepiness/drowsiness -- (e.g., sleepy, drowsy, yawning)
Difficulty concentrating -- (e.g., muzzy)
Work difficulty -- (e.g., decreased motivation for tasks/work)
Irritability -- (e.g., irritable, cross, miserable, decreased well-being/contentedness)
Depression -- (e.g., depressed mood)
Anxiety -- (e.g., anxious, nervous)
Flu-like symptoms -- (e.g., nausea/vomiting, muscle aches/stiffness, hot and cold spells, heavy feelings in arms or legs)
Impairment in psychomotor, vigilance and cognitive performances

 

[LindaC781]

How is this going B. I.?? Did you find a solution to this???