We present herewith a case of isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) which entails a transient, generalized inability to move or speak, i.e., usually seen during the patient's transitions between sleep and wakefulness. We report the case of a 33-year-old man with recurrent ISP and panic disorder. The patient sought help after nearly 6 years of symptoms as he thought that the symptoms were part of his nocturnal panic attacks. Isolated sleep paralysis is seen in conjunction with multiple anxiety disorders and the symptoms may mimic anxiety, thereby confounding the diagnosis. It is prudent that clinicians keep in mind sleep paralysis as a differential diagnosis in anxiety disorders as all cases of freezing at night may not be nocturnal panic attacks.
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