What is Parasomnia

Parasomnia causes abnormal behaviour, movements, and perceptions during falling asleep. It is a sleep disorder where sleep states are dissociated during the transition between wakefulness to REM sleep and their combinations. They are common and make it difficult to get a peaceful sleep. Parasomnia is more common in children and especially those who have neurological or psychiatric conditions such as ADHD. Stress and sleep deprivation can also cause parasomnia. Most children grow out of it by adolescence.

TYPES OF PARASOMNIA 

1. Sleepwalking

It is also known as somnambulism, it happens when you walk around while sleeping. It occurs early in the night or even daytime naps.

2. Sleep talking 

It is also called as somniloquy. it can range from mumbling to full conversations. It can happen during any part of the night.

3. Sleep-related groaning 

It happens when you exhale slowly and deeply. It includes different sounds such as roaring, loud humming, and high pitched cracking sounds.

4. Nightmares

Nightmares cause intense dreams that cause anxiety and fear. If it frequently takes place its called nightmare disorder. This makes it difficult to fall asleep again. Multiple nightmares can take place in a single night.

5. Night terrors

It causes one to wake up in a terrified state. It lasts from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. It includes crying, screaming, fast heart rate, sweating, and skin flushing.  It takes place in non-REM sleep.

6. Bedwetting 

It is involuntarily urinating during sleep. Its the most common in children. It usually occurs when the bladder holds more urine than it can hold.

7. Confusional arousal 

It happens when you wake up in a very confused state.

8. Teeth grinding 

It is clenching your teeth while sleeping. This behavior can cause tooth pain and earache like pain.

9. Sleep-related eating disorder 

It is binge eating and drinking during non-REM sleep.

10. Sleep texting 

It happens when you send a text during sleep.

11. Sexsomnia 

Acting out sexual behaviors while sleeping

12. Exposing head syndrome.

It takes place when one imagines a loud sudden noise in your head.

13. Sleep-related hallucinations.

This hallucination you can see, feel, and hear.

14. Sleep-related scratching 

Scratches that take place while sleeping.

15. Sleep driving

It is driving while sleeping and it can be very dangerous.

 

CAUSES

It is associated with multiple triggers

• Stress
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Substance abuse
• Sleep disorders
• Depression

 

PARASOMNIA SYMPTOMS

1. Waking up confused or disoriented.

2. Waking up wondering where you are

3. Not recalling doing certain activities

4. Unfamiliar cuts on the body

5. Having difficulty sleeping during the night

6. Daytime sleepiness.

 

DIAGNOSIS OF PARASOMNIA 

• The doctor will question about previous underlying medical conditions.
• Based on the sleep behavior pattern
• Polysomnogram, where the doctor records your brain waves, breathing, and heart rate.

 

PARASOMNIA TREATMENT 

1. Medication.

If parasomnia occurs frequently, medications can help manage it. The different types of medications used are topiramate, antidepressants, dopamine agonists, melatonin, and levodopa.

2. Cognitive behavioural therapy 

It is a common treatment as parasomnia is related to health concerns such as stress and anxiety. Other therapies include psychotherapy, relaxation therapy, and hypnosis.

3. Home remedies 

• Scheduled awakening is waking up your child about 15-30 minutes before they wake up. It minimizes behaviour that follows a certain pattern.
• If you sleepwalk, remove all dangerous items, lock all the doors and windows.

 

HELPLINE:

1. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias

2. https://luxury.rehabs.com/sleep-disorders/parasomnia/

 

Other Important Articles

• SLEEP DISORDERS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Types
• Importance of Sleep – Brain is Tired But Can’t Sleep
• What is Insomnia
• TYPES OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
• What is “Sleeplessness Disorder”: Night Without Sleep