Parasomnia Treatment
Sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors, and acting out dreams are all forms of parasomnia. The sleep specialists at Sleep Health MD diagnose and treat parasomnias in adults and children, helping patients in Santa Cruz, Freedom, Sunnyvale, and Monterey sleep more safely and peacefully.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Parasomnia?
Parasomnia refers to a group of sleep disorders that cause unusual behaviors, movements, emotions, or experiences during sleep. People with a parasomnia may appear to be awake while they are actually asleep. Common parasomnias include:
- Sleep talking
- Sleepwalking
- Night terrors (sleep terrors)
- Confusional arousals
- Sleep-related eating disorder
- REM sleep behavior disorder
- Nightmare disorder and sleep paralysis
Some parasomnias, such as occasional sleep talking, usually pose little risk. Others can be serious. Sleepwalking can be dangerous because a person is moving around without full awareness of their surroundings, and night terrors can be very upsetting and cause major disruptions to sleep for the whole household.
What Causes Parasomnias?
Parasomnias often run in families and are more common in children, who frequently outgrow them. In adults, they may be triggered or worsened by:
- Sleep deprivation and irregular sleep schedules
- Stress and anxiety
- Alcohol and certain medications
- Fever or illness
- Other sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, which cause partial awakenings
Who Treats Parasomnia?
Parasomnias are best evaluated by a sleep medicine specialist, ideally one with training in neurology. A physician with expertise in both sleep medicine and neurology is well qualified to distinguish parasomnias from other conditions, such as nocturnal seizures, that can look similar.
Who Should See a Doctor for Parasomnia?
Anyone who has shown signs of a parasomnia should consider an evaluation. Because symptoms involve talking, walking, moving, or confusion during sleep, people are often unaware of them. Family members or bed partners are usually the first to notice. If you have been told you act strangely while sleeping, take those comments seriously, especially if episodes are frequent, violent, or have caused injury.
How Are Parasomnias Diagnosed?
Your provider will review your sleep history, medications, and family history and may ask a bed partner to describe episodes. An attended in-lab sleep study with video recording may be recommended to capture behaviors, identify the sleep stage in which they occur, and look for triggers such as sleep apnea or periodic limb movements.
How Are Parasomnias Treated?
Treatment depends on your symptoms and situation. A doctor might recommend:
- Lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep, exercising, and managing stress
- Making the bedroom safe by locking doors and windows and removing hazards
- Treating underlying disorders, such as sleep apnea with CPAP therapy
- Anticipatory (scheduled) awakenings for frequent night terrors or sleepwalking
- Prescription medication when episodes are frequent or dangerous
- Relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis
Parasomnias are especially common in children; learn more about our pediatric sleep services. You can also read about narcolepsy, which can cause sleep paralysis and hallucinations, or explore all conditions we treat.
Parasomnia Treatment FAQs
What is a parasomnia?
A parasomnia is a sleep disorder involving unusual behaviors or experiences during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors, or acting out dreams.
Are parasomnias common in children?
Yes. Sleepwalking, sleep talking, and night terrors are common in children, and many outgrow them.
Is sleepwalking dangerous?
It can be. Sleepwalkers are not fully aware of their surroundings and can be injured, so bedroom safety measures are important.
Should I wake someone who is sleepwalking?
It is generally best to gently guide a sleepwalker back to bed rather than abruptly waking them, which can cause confusion.
Can sleep apnea cause parasomnias?
Yes. Breathing interruptions can trigger partial awakenings that lead to sleepwalking or confusional arousals.
Do I need a sleep study for a parasomnia?
A video-monitored in-lab sleep study may be recommended to identify the type of parasomnia and possible triggers.
How do I schedule an evaluation?
Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online with Sleep Health MD.
Sleep Safely and Peacefully
If you or a loved one has unusual behaviors during sleep, our specialists can help. Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online.