Are abnormal sleep patterns due to parasomnia?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been having some really weird experiences while I am asleep lately, and I am starting to get concerned. Sometimes, I wake up to find that I have done strange things in my sleep, like rearranging my bedroom furniture or even eating without realizing it. It is getting to the point where I am feeling exhausted during the day because my sleep feels so disrupted. I have heard about sleep disorders and something called parasomnia. Could this be what is happening to me? How can I differentiate between normal sleep behavior and symptoms of a sleep disorder like sleepwalking or sleep sex? Also, is there anything I can do to manage or treat these episodes?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Common parasomnia, a non−rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep arousal disorder, is described as being characterized by either somnambulism (ie, sleepwalking) or sleep terrors. The following describes NREM sleep arousal disorder, sleepwalking type. You need to tell me regarding the following in detail:

Detailed description of the event.
Level of consciousness before, during, and after the event.
Time of night and sleep cycle when the events occur.
Daytime sleepiness.
Associated injury.
Memory of the event.
Family history.
Any precipitating factors.

Diagnosis of sleepwalking should take into account miscellaneous sleep disorders, NREM parasomnias, and rapid eye movement (REM)–related parasomnias. It is a temporary disorder, and it can be cured. Try to remove any stress you have in mind. Any environmental or predisposing factors should be identified and eliminated. Auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli should be avoided early in the sleep cycle.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.