Sleep paralysis (SP) is an inability to make voluntary movements, either as one falls asleep or when waking up from sleep.  The person is unable to speak or move the body.  Consciousness, memory and breathing are unaffected.  An episode of SP may last seconds or minutes.  A person may recover quickly if spoken to or, touched during the episode. Occasional episodes of SP occurs in normal individuals.  If it occurs frequently in the absence of narcolepsy, it is known as Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis (RISP).