parasomnias
Abnormal sleep behaviors
Parasomnias are sleep disorders involving abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, or perceptions that occur while falling asleep, during sleep, or upon waking.
These include sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep paralysis, and REM sleep behavior disorder, among others.
Unlike insomnia, which involves difficulty sleeping, parasomnias are characterized by unwanted events that intrude into sleep.
The doctor diagnosed his violent thrashing during dreams as a parasomnia.
Ambulatory behavior during slumber
- night terrorsFrightening partial-arousal episodes
- sleep paralysisTemporary waking immobility
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- sleep talkingSpeaking during slumber
bruxism · bedwetting · restless legs syndrome · sleep starts
Terrifying sleep experiences
- vivid dreamsUnusually intense sleep imagery
- lucid dreamingSleep state with awareness
- night terrorsFrightening partial-arousal episodes
- recurring dreamsSleep visions that return
Diagnostic overnight monitoring session
- EEGNeural activity recording
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neurologistPhysician specializing in nervous system
- sleep specialistPhysician treating rest disorders
NREM · REM · sleep stages · treatment · medication · sleep clinic · differential diagnosis · comorbidity
Loss of spatial awareness
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- amnesiaPathological loss of recall
- unresponsivenessLack of reaction
- night sweatsExcessive perspiration during sleep
agitation · vocalizations · thrashing · bolt upright · fear · panic · inconsolable · sleep inertia
sleepwalking
Ambulatory behavior during slumber
- night terrorsFrightening partial-arousal episodes
- sleep paralysisTemporary waking immobility
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
sleep talking · bruxism · bedwetting · restless legs syndrome · sleep starts
nightmares
Terrifying sleep experiences
- vivid dreamsUnusually intense sleep imagery
- lucid dreamingSleep state with awareness
- night terrorsFrightening partial-arousal episodes
sleep study
Diagnostic overnight monitoring session
- EEGNeural activity recording
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neurologistPhysician specializing in nervous system
sleep specialist · NREM · REM · sleep stages · treatment · medication · sleep clinic · differential diagnosis · comorbidity · episodes
disorientation
Loss of spatial awareness
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- amnesiaPathological loss of recall
- unresponsivenessLack of reaction
night sweats · agitation · vocalizations · thrashing · bolt upright · fear · panic · inconsolable · sleep inertia · grogginess