History and Folklore for 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

In the Hmong culture (people living in Southeast Asia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Burma) it is known as "dab tsog" or "crushing demon."

In Vietnamese culture it is known as "ma dè", meaning "held down by a ghost" or "bóng dè", meaning "held down by a shadow". Many people in this culture believe that a ghost has entered one's body, causing the paralyzed state."

The Japanese call it kanashibari, meaning bound or fastened in metal.

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