What Is Parasomnia?
Parasomnias are types of disturbing disorders that can happen just before you fall asleep, while you’re sleeping, or as you’re waking up.
Parasomnias include:
Nightmares
Nightmares are vivid dreams that can cause fear, terror, and anxiety. They might make you wake suddenly and have a hard time getting back to sleep. You’ll probably remember the episode in detail. Many things can cause nightmares, including illness, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or reactions to a medication. Talk to your doctor if you have nightmares more than once a week or if they keep you from getting a good night’s sleep for a long time.
Night Terrors
Night terrors, also called sleep terrors, are similar to nightmares but usually happen during deep sleep. They cause you to wake suddenly, feeling terrified and confused. You can’t talk and won’t respond to voices. You might not seem fully awake.
Episodes of this parasomnia last about 15 minutes, and then you’ll probably fall back asleep. You usually won’t remember it the next morning.
People who have night terrors can be a danger to themselves or other people because of body movements that they can’t control. This parasomnia is fairly common in children, mostly between ages 3 and 8.
Adults can also have night terrors, and they may run in families. Strong emotional stress and alcohol use can make adults more likely to have them.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is when you’re moving around and look awake but are actually asleep. You won’t remember it the next day. Sleepwalking is most common during a stage called deep non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep early in the night. It can also happen during REM sleep in the early morning. This parasomnia mostly happens in children between ages 5 and 12. It tends to stop as children enter the teen years.
Sleepwalking tends to run in families. It’s not dangerous to wake a sleepwalker, but they might be confused when they wake up. Sleepwalking itself can be risky because the person isn’t aware of where they are and can fall or bump into things.
- Related:What Happens to Your Body When You Sleep?
Confusional Arousals
Confusional arousals usually happen when you wake from a deep sleep during the first part of the night. This parasomnia, which is also known as excessive sleep inertia or sleep drunkenness, makes you very slow when you wake up. You react slowly to commands and may have trouble understanding when someone asks you a question. You probably won’t remember the event the next day.
Rhythmic Movement Disorder
Rhythmic movement disorder happens mostly in children under age 1, often just before they fall asleep. A child may lie flat, lift their head or upper body, and then forcefully hit their head on the pillow. This parasomnia, which doctors also call headbanging, can also involve movements such as rocking on hands and knees.
Sleep Talking
Sleep talking is a sleep-wake transition disorder. This parasomnia usually isn’t dangerous but can disturb bed partners or family members. Sleep talking can involve simple brief sounds or long speeches. The talker probably won’t remember doing it. Things like fever, emotional stress, or other sleep disorders can cause sleep talking.
