RESUMO
This case report highlights a case of isolated sleep paralysis, a transient, generalized inability to move or speak that usually seen during the patient’s transitions between sleeping and wakefulness. Method: We report the case of a 44-year-old man with long standing recurrent isolated sleep paralysis and generalized anxiety disorder who sought help almost 20 years after the first onset of symptoms. The presenting manifestations of this disorder and its management are also discussed. Results: Isolated sleep paralysis is reported to occur with co-morbid anxiety disorders especially panic disorder. Its presentation may confuse the psychiatrist with other psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: It is important for psychiatrists to be aware of the presentation of a patient with isolated sleep paralysis and simultaneously understand the cultural undertones in such cases.
RESUMO
We report two patients with frequent isolated sleep paralysis (SP). They have neither cataplexy nor daytime sleepiness, and there was no HLA DR2 or DQ1 association. We elicited one episode of sleep paralysis from a patient by a sleep interruption schedule. The polysomnographic recording during SP showed abundant alpha rhythm with persistent atonia, which indicate a concurrence of REM-atonia and wakefulness. The frequency of SP was markedly reduced by a use of clomipramine