​ Dariana Zuzuarregui

Per. 2
2/1/18

​Weekly Vocabulary Blog

Week 14

Abstract Determine Examine Intention Provide

Assumption Discuss Expose Narrative Reveal
Concept Discussion Graphic Option Similar
Contend Dispute Identify Previous Tend
Counter Evaluate Indicate Propose Vary

Imprisoned Inside One’s Self

Sleep Paralysis is a terrifying experience for many people every night. The
concept​ 1​ ​of sleep paralysis ​tends​ 2​​ to be a stressful and fearful occurrence. Imagine your
worst nightmare, at the foot of your door creeping in ever so closely. The more the figure
comes near you the more you panic, you try to run away but there is no use. You can't
seem to get up from your bed, you're paralyzed, you might want to scream for help but no
sound comes out. The fact that you feel its presence ​indicates​ 3​ ​that you're awake, in a
conscious state.

The phenomenon​ identified​ 4​ ​as sleep paralysis is a state in which the brain
activity is still high due to REM (rapid eye movement). This state allows us to dream and
produce figments of our imagination or subconscious. When we are asleep and in a
sleeping state our bodies are paralyzed. In sleep paralysis the brain wakes up but the
body is still in a paralyzed state. In the article “A prisoner in my own body: This is what it’s
like to have sleep paralysis” written by Jennifer Hassan, the author ​examines​ 5​​ the
reasons to why people go through sleep paralysis. In ​previous​ 6​​ cases most people
experience a shortness of breath or as if something is on top of their chest not letting them
breath. In the article, Hassan ​reveals​ 7​​ this is caused “Because of the paralysis, the only
breathing muscle that is working is the diaphragm. There’s often a sense of inadequate
breathing because the chest muscles are not working.”

The National Health Service ​discusses​ 8​ ​ that anxiety can trigger sleep
paralysis , also ​evaluating​ 9​​ that depression and stress can cause someone to experience
sleep paralysis as well. While there is many scientific prove of this phenomenon many
believe these episodes are supernatural. Explaining there are mythical creatures that
haunt you, like demons. ​Similar​ 10​
​ to the demons ,many people depict these creatures as
forms of the devil like in the painting “The Nightmare” by Henry Fuseli’s . This painting
depicts an ogre on top of a helpless women , as in sleep paralysis. Although sleep
paralysis is terrifying to some, it is only part of our imagination like in dreams. So no matter
how frightening it might seem it is only ​abstract​ 11​
​ , these images are made by our
subconscious and only figments of our imagination.

Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-prisoner-in-my-own-body-this-i
s-what-it's-like-to-have-sleep-paralysis/2018/01/26/9e59fae4-d60e-11e7-95bf-df7c192708
79_story.html?utm_term=.c44701f3aacd