Gingras sleep medicine | sleep medicine near me | sleep medicine near charlotte | sleep medicine doctor

What are Parasomnias?

by | Sep 1, 2017 | Adult Sleep, Parasomnia, Sleep Paralysis

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by being caught between wakefulness and sleep. People with parasomnias often attempt to perform tasks such as speaking, walking, or even cleaning while they are asleep. This can range from sitting up in bed while asleep to confusion upon arousal, sleep paralysis, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep aggression, night terrors, and sexsomina (sex while sleeping). In many cases the symptoms can be triggered by medications, a fever, depression, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, physical activities, and excessive stress.

All About Parasomnias

The precise causes of parasomnia are not completely understood. It tends to occur during certain brainwave states, and is more common during the early stages of sleep. Parasomnias can happen at any stage of the sleep cycle and can be quite frightening as they may include vivid hallucinations. A common form of parasomnia is sleep paralysis, in which the person begins to wake up, but their body is unable to move. It can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In many cases, parasomnias have a strong genetic link, tending to run in families.

Parasomnia patients may accidently hurt themselves when they are dreaming vividly and their body is acting out their dream without their awareness. People with these disorders should be sure not to sleep on top bunks or have breakable objects nearby. They should also not sleep near an open window where they might fall. If someone is having a parasomniac event, they should be gently guided back to bed rather than roused, because some patients become quite agitated or aggressive when the event is occurring.

Parasomnia is not linked to a psychiatric disorder, although the behavior of the person caught sleepwalking or carrying out other activities such as sleep eating, may appear quite bizarre to any onlooker who happens to be present. Many patients with parasomnia disorders do report being teased for their disorder, and may benefit from a local support group. Patients who are suffering from a parasomnia disorder may also feel excessively tired due to abnormal sleep patterns.

Children with parasomnias such as sleep walking often outgrow the condition as they age. Additionally, many patients do find that they have fewer parasomniatic events when their sleep schedule is corrected. Parasomnias can only be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician.

If you, or a loved one are experiencing night terrors, sleepwalking, sleep aggression, sleep-eating, or any other form of sleep related disorder, please call (704) 944-0562 or request an appointment online with Dr. Gingras at Gingras Sleep Medicine in Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina.