They are also known as disruptive sleep disorders.

Most parasomnias are categorized into REM (rapid eye movement) or Non-REM parasomnias.

Symptoms of Parasomnias

Symptoms of parasomnias vary depending on which form you have.

Mid adult woman lying in bed with dog

The Good Brigade / Getty Images

In trying to diagnose and identify what jot down of parasomnia you have, youll be asked several questions.

AnMRI or CT scanmight be ordered to rule out the possibility of any brain damage orneurodegenerative condition.

A sleep study is the best way to make a definite diagnosis of parasomnia.

Causes of Parasomnias

A variety of factors are responsible for causing parasomnias.

These factors also vary from one parasomnia to the other.

However, certain risk factors could make you more susceptible to developing parasomnia.

They include:

Types of Parasomnias

A sleep parasomnia could occur at any point in your sleep.

Sleep parasomnias are typically classified into those that happen in Non-REM sleep and those that occur in REM sleep.

However, some parasomnias dont fall under either category.

REM Parasomnias

REM sleep is one of the stages of sleep youll experience whenever you fall asleep.

During this stage of your sleep, your body goes through specific physical changes.

Your heart rate and breathing quicken, and your eyes move rapidly underneath its lids.

During this stage of sleep, you’re able to still be easily awakened.

Parasomnias that occur during Non-REM sleep are also referred to as “Disorders of Arousal.”

Most parasomnias in this category are typiclly rare.

This category of parasomnias typically occurs in the period between sleep and wakefulness.

Any other medical conditions you may have will also be taken into consideration.

For REM sleep parasomnias, medication such asClonazepamandmelatoninmay be prescribed to help improve the quality of your sleep.

For Non-REM parasomnias, cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective form of treatment.

If you have a parasomnia like sleepwalking, locking windows and doors before falling asleep is encouraged.

University of Michigan Health.Sleep Studies.

Cleveland Clinic.Parasomnias: causes, symptoms, types & management.

April 29, 2021

Kazaglis L, Bornemann MAC.

Classification of parasomnias.Curr Sleep Medicine Rep. 2016;2(2):45-52.

2013;14(8):744-748.

Sharpless BA, Barber JP.Lifetime prevalence rates of sleep paralysis: A systematic review.Sleep Medicine Reviews.

2011;15(5):311-315.

Published online March 1, 2013.

Fleetham JA, Fleming JAE.Parasomnias.CMAJ.

2014;186(8):E273-E280.