Is midnight eating and forgetting it by morning a disorder?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am concerned about my 18-year-old daughter. I have been noticing her for the past few weeks, and she seems to be chewing on snacks and drinking cold beverages at night, then going back to bed. She is actually not aware of what she is doing at night and forgets everything in the morning. Suddenly at midnight, she wakes up and eats leftover snacks and juices. I am afraid that this might be some disorder and could affect her health. What can be done about this? Does she require any counseling? Should she undergo any tests? Will she be able to recover from this?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

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It sounds like your daughter may be experiencing a sleep-related eating behavior known as sleep-related eating disorder (SRED). SRED is a type of parasomnia, which involves unusual behaviors during sleep. A person with SRED typically eats and drinks unconsciously during the night, often consuming large amounts of food. Individuals with SRED may have little to no memory of their nighttime eating episodes. Episodes of SRED can be triggered by stress or sleep deprivation.

She should get a physical examination by a doctor. Counseling or therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or sleep therapy, may be beneficial. Counseling can also help in developing healthy sleep habits and coping mechanisms. Removing easily accessible food and beverages from the sleeping area can help minimize episodes of nighttime eating. Proper sleep hygiene practices, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing sleep environment are also important.

Hope I have clarified your query. I will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.