REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Treatment
REM sleep behavior disorder causes people to physically act out their dreams by talking, shouting, punching, or kicking during sleep, sometimes injuring themselves or a bed partner. The sleep specialists at Sleep Health MD diagnose REM sleep behavior disorder with in-lab testing and provide treatment that helps patients in Santa Cruz, Freedom, Sunnyvale, and Monterey sleep safely.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
During normal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the stage when most vivid dreaming occurs, the body’s muscles are temporarily paralyzed. This keeps you still while you dream. In REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), that muscle paralysis is incomplete or absent, so you can physically move in response to your dreams. RBD is a type of parasomnia, a group of disorders involving unusual behaviors during sleep.
Symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
- Talking, yelling, laughing, or crying out during sleep
- Punching, kicking, flailing, or jumping out of bed
- Vivid, often action-filled or threatening dreams
- Waking up with injuries or bruises
- A bed partner who has been struck or now sleeps in a separate room
- Being able to recall the dream clearly if awakened during an episode
Episodes usually happen in the second half of the night, when REM sleep is most frequent.
Who Develops RBD?
RBD most often develops in adults over age 50 and is more common in men, although it can affect anyone. It may be associated with certain medications, including some antidepressants, as well as neurological conditions. Research has shown that RBD can be an early sign of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, which is why a careful evaluation and ongoing follow-up are important.
How RBD Is Diagnosed
An attended in-lab sleep study with video recording is required to diagnose RBD. The study measures muscle activity during REM sleep and captures any movements or vocalizations. It also helps rule out conditions that can look similar, including obstructive sleep apnea arousals, sleepwalking, night terrors, periodic limb movement disorder, and nocturnal seizures.
Treatment for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Treatment focuses on preventing injury and reducing episodes:
- Making the bedroom safer by moving sharp or breakable objects, padding the floor, or lowering the bed
- Considering separate sleeping arrangements until episodes are controlled
- Medications such as melatonin or others prescribed by your sleep specialist
- Reviewing and adjusting medications that may trigger RBD, in coordination with your prescribing physician
- Treating coexisting sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- Regular follow-up and referral to neurology when appropriate
Protecting You and Your Partner
RBD can be frightening for patients and families, but it is treatable. With the right plan, most patients experience fewer and less intense episodes. Learn about other sleep conditions we treat, read about insomnia and narcolepsy, or discover why patients choose Sleep Health MD.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder FAQs
What causes REM sleep behavior disorder?
RBD occurs when the normal muscle paralysis of REM sleep does not happen. It may be idiopathic, triggered by certain medications, or associated with neurological conditions.
Is REM sleep behavior disorder the same as sleepwalking?
No. Sleepwalking happens during deep non-REM sleep and is more common in children, while RBD happens during REM sleep and typically involves acting out vivid dreams.
Is RBD dangerous?
It can be. Patients and bed partners can be injured during episodes, so bedroom safety measures and treatment are important.
Do I need a sleep study to diagnose RBD?
Yes. An attended in-lab sleep study with video monitoring is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Is RBD linked to Parkinson’s disease?
Research shows RBD can be an early sign of certain neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, which is why ongoing follow-up is recommended.
Can medications cause RBD?
Some medications, including certain antidepressants, can trigger or worsen RBD. Do not stop any medication without talking to your doctor.
How do I schedule an evaluation?
Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online with Sleep Health MD.
Sleep Safely Again
If you or your partner has noticed dream enactment behaviors, schedule an evaluation with our sleep specialists. Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online.