Parasomnias are sleep disorders involving unusual behaviors during sleep — sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep talking — occurring in both REM and non-REM stages and disturbing both the individual and their bed partner. With the right evaluation, these disruptive episodes can be understood and managed.
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders marked by unwanted physical events or experiences that happen as you fall asleep, while you sleep, or as you wake. They can appear during non-REM stages — as with sleepwalking and night terrors — or during REM sleep, as when someone acts out vivid dreams. Episodes are often dramatic, sometimes frightening, and can put both the sleeper and their bed partner at risk of injury.
Because these behaviors usually occur while a person is not fully conscious, many people have little or no memory of them and only learn of the problem from a partner or family member. Our specialists evaluate the timing, pattern, and nature of your episodes — often with overnight video monitoring — to identify the type of parasomnia and any underlying triggers, then build a plan to protect safe, restful sleep.
Walking or performing complex behaviors while still asleep, usually during deep non-REM sleep. The person typically has no memory of the episode and can be at risk of injury.
Episodes of intense fear, screaming, and thrashing during sleep — most common in children. Unlike nightmares, the person is difficult to wake and rarely recalls the event.
Speaking during sleep, ranging from simple sounds to full conversations. It is usually harmless but can disturb a bed partner and may accompany other parasomnias.
Acting out vivid, often intense dreams because the normal muscle paralysis of REM sleep is absent. Movements can be sudden and forceful, posing a risk of injury.
A temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, sometimes accompanied by a sense of pressure or vivid imagery. Episodes are brief but can feel distressing.
An overnight sleep study with synchronized video monitoring lets us observe your episodes directly, identify the sleep stage in which they occur, and distinguish parasomnias from other conditions such as seizures.
A detailed sleep history and a diary of your episodes help us recognize patterns and triggers — from stress to sleep deprivation — that may be driving your symptoms.
When episodes are frequent or pose a safety risk, medications such as benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants may be used to reduce their intensity and frequency.
Improving sleep habits, ensuring adequate rest, and treating underlying sleep disorders such as apnea often reduce parasomnia episodes and protect restful, safe sleep.
If unusual nighttime episodes are disrupting your rest or your safety, our specialists can pinpoint the cause and help you regain calm, restful nights. Reach out to get started.