The Night-Mare

The sleep paralysis night-mare experience is an emerging area of interest and study; however, current research on this phenomenon is primarily based in the field of neuroscientific sleep study. This thesis approaches the sleep paralysis night-mare from a depth psychological perspective to provide an alternative, holistic understanding of the relationship between mind and body involved in the phenomenon. A hermeneutic inquiry into the current literature as well as the archetypal components and other aspects of myths, folklore, and art related to nightmares considers the cultural construction of the concept of sleep paralysis. Heuristic methodology is utilized in presenting personal experiences of sleep paralysis nightmares. Regarding the clinical application of the research, the study asserts the value of viewing the sleep paralysis night-mare as both mysterious and inexplicable and through the perspective of a traditional belief narrative that ascribes explanation or purpose.