[The incubus phenomenon: A sleep-related condition, not to be confused with psychosis]. / Het incubusfenomeen: een slaapgerelateerde stoornis, niet te verwarren met psychose.
Tijdschr Psychiatr
; 57(1): 16-24, 2015.
Article
em Nl
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25601624
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The incubus phenomenon is a paroxysmal condition characterised by sleep paralysis coinciding with a sensed presence and the frightening sensation that something or somebody is exerting pressure on the thorax.AIM:
To present an overview of the literature on the incubus phenomenon and to provide practical advice regarding diagnosis and treatment.METHOD:
To obtain information for our paper we carried out a search in PubMed and the historical literature.RESULTS:
The incubus phenomenon is a relatively unknown condition, even though, world-wide, it has a lifetime prevalence rate of 30% in the general population. The prevalence is even higher among students, psychiatric patients and patients with narcolepsy. It is attributed to a dissociation of the rem sleep phase and the subsequent intrusion of endogenously mediated percepts. The condition rarely requires treatment because it is self-limiting, and generally occurs only once in a lifetime. Repeated attacks, however, may warrant additional diagnostic testing with the aid of polysomnography and may require treatment with anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticholinergics or anti-epileptics.CONCLUSION:
The incubus phenomenon is an intrusive condition, but, as far as we currently know, it is benign. Nevertheless, it is important that the condition is recognised and not confused with a psychotic disorder or any other type of severe mental illness. When necessary, it should be treated lege artis.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sono
/
Transtornos do Sono-Vigília
/
Sonhos
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
Nl
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article