In short
Most parasomnias arebenign and they improve with the appropriate approach (sleep hygiene, safety and treating triggers). Others—like theREM sleep behavior disorderin adults—it is advisable to study them as soon as possible. A specialist can tell you, with a test, exactly what your case is.
Abnormal behaviors while sleeping
Parasomnias are sleep disorders that are characterized byabnormal behaviors, movements, emotions, or perceptions that occur during sleep or in the transition between sleep and wakefulness. They can occur in deep sleep, light sleep or during the REM phase, and affect people of all ages.
Its causes are diverse: factorsgenetic, other sleep disorders,stress, anxiety or certain medications. They are sometimes associated with conditions such as REM sleep behavior disorder or narcolepsy, and vary greatly in severity: from occasional and banal episodes to situations that should be studied.
Although they are often disturbing—for those who suffer from them and for those who sleep next to them—the good news is that today they are accurately diagnosed and treated. If the episodes are persistent or affect your rest, it is advisable to consult a sleep specialist. The first step is to identify them.
Self-test: could it be parasomnias?
Mark what happens to you (to you or to whoever sleeps with you). This is for guidance only — not a diagnosis.
Frequent signs
Select all the ones you recognize
The most common types of parasomnia
They are grouped according to the phase of sleep in which they appear. Explore each option:
Terrores nocturnos
Episodes of intense agitation—screaming, palpitations, sweating, scared face—with the person partially asleep and confused. The next dayI don't usually remember them. In children they are common and tend to disappear with age; In adults it is advisable to evaluate them.
Sleepwalking
The person gets up and does activities (walking, getting dressed, even leaving the house) while asleep. He doesn't respond well if you talk to him and he doesn't remember it. The focus of treatment issecurityof the environment and treat what triggers it (lack of sleep, stress, alcohol).
Pesadillas
Vivid and distressing dreams that wake up suddenly, with detailed memory. They are very common and almost never serious; but if they arefrequent, affect rest or your daily life, have treatment (including rehearsal therapy in imagination).
Sleep paralysis
Temporary inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up, sometimes with a feeling of pressure or presence. It lasts seconds and is not dangerous, but it can be very distressing. It can be associated with other disorders such asnarcolepsy.
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
The person “represents” his or her sleep with sudden movements—hits, kicks, jumps—that can injure the partner. It appears especially after 50 and is relevant because it can be aearly signof neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. If you suspect RBD, a prompt evaluation is advisable.
Other common parasomnias
In addition to the above, in consultation we often see these others, almost always benign but worth recognizing:
Somniloquy (sleep talking)
Talk during sleep, from incomprehensible murmurs to coherent sentences. It is very common and those who do it are not aware or remember it when they wake up. It does not usually require treatment unless it interrupts rest, and can appear together with sleepwalking or REM sleep behavior disorder.
Bruxism of sleep
Rhythmic activity of the chewing muscles that wears down the teeth. The person is not conscious and usually wakes up with pain in the jaw. Stress and certain anatomical problems influence its origin. It is treated withdischarge splints, relaxation techniques and biofeedback; In our team we have a dentist who is an expert in this problem.
Hypnic myoclonus
Involuntary, sudden and brief contractions—especially in the legs, sometimes in the arms or head—that appear when falling asleep. They have no clinical significance and are related to caffeine, nicotine, intense exercise and stress. If they are very frequent or intense, those triggers are removed; medication is rarely needed.
Confusional awakenings
Episodes in which the person wakes up disoriented, with difficulty understanding their surroundings or recognizing those around them. They occur in the transition between sleep and wakefulness and refer to waking up completely. They are associated with lack of sleep, fatigue and stress.
Parasomnias in children and adults
Many parasomnias are typical of childhood and tend to disappear in adolescence. Nightmares, for example, have a prevalence of between 10% and 50% in children aged 3 to 6 years; They occur in the REM phase, in the second half of the night, and the child wakes up with a detailed memory and without the confusion typical of night terrors.
- Very common (up to 1 in 2 between the ages of 3 and 6 have nightmares)
- They are usually benign and remit with age.
- The first thing is to reassure the family and take care of the sleeping routine.
- Ask if they are very frequent, there is a risk of injury or they affect the day
- Less common: if they appear again, it is worth studying them
- RBD may be an early sign of neurological disease
- Other disorders (apnea, epilepsy) are ruled out with a sleep test
- They are almost always controlled with treatment and safety measures
When should you consult as soon as possible?
- Violent episodes that injure you or your partner
- Suspected REM behavior disorder (representing sleep)
- New appearance in adulthood
- Intense daytime sleepiness or non-restorative sleep
- Sleepwalking with risk (leaving the house, kitchen, stairs)
- Much emotional impact or fear of sleeping
Causes and triggers
There is no single cause. Several factors are usually combined, and many are modifiable—hence treatment begins by identifying and correcting them.
One of the most common triggers.
Sleep deprivation triggers non-REM episodes.
Alcohol and certain medications favor them.
Sleepwalking and night terrors run in families.
Apnea can cause confusing awakenings.
Especially in the adult RBD.
Diagnosis at the Sleep Research Institute
The key test isvideo-polysomnography- Records your sleep and records it on video to see what exactly happens.
First consultation
Medical history and report of the episodes (yours and your partner's)
Video-polysomnography
Sleep study with video, in clinic or at home
Diagnosis
Type of parasomnia and ruling out apnoea or epilepsy
Treatment
Safety measures, habits and medications if applicable
My husband hit me in my sleep every night and we lived in fear. At the Institute they did the video study, they diagnosed him with REM disorder and today we both sleep peacefully.
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We solve your doubts
Are parasomnias dangerous?
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My son has night terrors, will he get over it?
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Content reviewed by the medical team of the Sleep Research Institute.