Humankind has always sought answers to all the great mysteries and when there are no answers that suit them, they create an answer. Such is the case with the Old Hag Syndrome. During the 19th century, people in the eastern U.S. & Canada would often relate how the Old Hag came last night and sat upon their chest while they slept. An old wives tale or superstition to explain a very frightening experience. Many blamed the Old Hag for sitting or riding their chest and immobilizing them only to torment them with ghosts or demons. Old Hag is actually a sleep disorder called sleep paralysis.

Sleep paralysis, typically, is a brief episode that occurs either as one enters or is leaving REM. Sleep paralysis will freeze one's movements except for respiration and eye movements. While it seems to last forever, it actually only lasts for a few minutes at the most. People who have experience this describes total body paralysis, deep fear, the presence of someone or something, and the crushing feeling that someone is sitting on your chest. The fear is real and overwhelming. Many have reported hallucinations such as alien abduction, intruders, sexual assault, strange noises, someone coming close and watching you, and sometimes as an intense evil presence. These are sensory hallucinations that are difficult to recognize as anything but reality.

It is natural for people to try to fight the paralysis; however, it is not possible to move and only increases the terror. The best way to handle this experience would be to relax and let it happen. Control your breathing and if you must fight it then do so by focusing on moving a single finger or toe. Trying to scream or move a larger part of your body will feed your fear and helpless feeling.

The Sleep Disorders Center at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston believes that one's brain shuts down the body during sleep to prevent the acting out of dreams. When one experiences the Old Hag visitation, the brain is awake but the body has not clearly switched back on allowing escape.

In searching for who the Old Hag might be, there are some stories that indicate it is Lilith, whom many feel was the first woman and Eve the second is the Old Hag or at least associated with it. Lilith was a stunning woman with flowing long black hair. Lilith did not wish to be subservient like Eve and demanded to be treated as an equal. As a result of her independence, Lilith left the Garden of Eden and was immediately demonized. Lilith was then referred to as the false, the wicked, the black, the harlot, night hag, night monster, and Queen of the Vampires.