Different Versions of the Old Hag Syndrome

Most Montrealers complain they do not get enough sleep. Yet, sleep affects our physical and mental health. Not having enough sleep affects our mood, our stamina, our home-life and career, and our social relationships.

Sleep is an important human function which is essential for good physical health and good mental health. Even though sleep is so important many Montrealers take sleeping for granted. They either sleep too much or more often than not, sleep less than is recommended for good health. Montrealers will catnap rather than sleep, burn the midnight oil studying, play on the computer, or just insist that they are too busy too sleep.

Conditions that affect sleep, our health, and mental health include such topics as sleep paralysis also known as dream paralysis. For help in the Montreal area for sleep disorders in Montreal click here:

Mount Sinai Hospital Sleep Center

Montreal Sleep Clinic

Sleep paralysis, or dream paralysis, is one of the most frightening experiences in the realm of sleep disorders that a person can have. In this article we will discuss how sleep paralysis is seen throughout the world. A second article will talk about the symptoms, causes and treatment for it.

Folklore centering around sleep paralysis and the old hag syndrome

The Maltese call it attack of the haddiela which are paranormal creatures likened to poltergeists. The Maltese will ward off these haddiela by hiding a knife under their pillow.

In the Kurdish culture dream paralysis is known as mottaka. This ghost appears if the person has done a bed deed of some sort.

The karabasan are creatures that attack the victim and robbed them of their breath, in the Turkish culture.

"se me subió el muerto, are the dead, in Mexican culture, who sit on the chest of the dreamer.

A slightly different version is the "Suk Ninmyo" from New Guinea where the trees attack humans to sap them of their essence while they sleep.

Whatever the origin of old hag syndrome and thus dream paralysis, this experience is truly frightening and the person experiencing old hag syndrome or sleep paralysis truly is unable to move, lying frozen in the bed, while all kinds of creepy things are going on in the room, or so they perceive.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis

http://www.astralvoyage.com/projection/Catatonic.html

http://www.shaktitechnology.com/sp.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29750.asp

http://www.better-sleep-better-life.com/sleep-paralysis.htm