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Heard about Parasomnias from a friend? Worried that you or someone close to you might be suffering from this disorder. If so, you must not neglect the condition. It's primarily because Parasomnias involves various physical actions and activities like kicking, punching, sleepwalking, laughing, taking or jumping while asleep. These conditions can put the affected person or people close to them at risk.
On the other hand, Parasomnias can also be very disturbing and frustrating for anyone suffering from it as it disturbs restful sleeping and puts the person in danger. So, if you are worried about having similar experiences or your close ones going through these. Keep reading! In this blog post, we will help you understand Parasomnias and the unusual sleep behaviours associated with them. This will also include other essential details, you should learn such as common types, their characteristics, causes, their effects on healthy sleeping, diagnosis, treatment and more. So, without wasting any time further. Let's dive into the main topic.
Before understanding the unusual behaviour associated with Parasomnias, let's understand what is it in detail. Parasomnias is a sleeping disorder distinctively different from other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or sleepwalking etc. By definition, Parasomnias is a sleep disorder that results in abnormal behaviour during sleep. Such abnormal behaviour can occur at any stage of sleep, between the transition of wakefulness to deep sleep or vice versa.
When you have Parasomnias, you are likely to move around, talk or perform other unusual things while you are asleep. People around you might think you are awake and doing things purposefully while you are asleep and will not have any memory of these incidents.
Parasomnias is a sleep disorder that involves kicking, punching, jumping, sleepwalking, laughing, talking, crying, etc., Mostly triggered by violent or disturbing dreams. However, medical diagnosis suggests that Parasomnias can have different types that can be distinguished from each other using its symptoms. Below, we will learn about each type of Parasomnias along with their characteristics -
The most common type of Parasomnias is sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is also known as somnambulism. It is also a sleep disorder or arousal disorder where a person wake up in the middle of their sleep and starts walking. They may also perform other routine activities like cooking, backpacking, driving, etc.
So, in the middle of a sleepwalking episode if a person wakes up they will feel confused and disoriented.
Another common type of Parasomnias is night terroirs which also result in Parasomnias symptoms such as jumping, running, defending, screaming, and frightfully waking. Night terroirs also known as sleep terroirs mostly affect children between 3-7 years old. However, it can also affect adults.
Some essential characteristics of night terroirs include -faster or racing heartbeats, screaming and thrashing around, sweating, dilated pupils and more.
Sleep taking is similar to sleepwalking a part of Parasomnias where the person wakes up in the middle of their sleep and starts talking. They may make different noises, whisper or start speaking, laughing and crying while they are asleep.
These episodes probably last between 5-20 minutes. Also, the individual will not have any memories of these incidents just like most cases of Parasomnias cases.
A sleep-related eating disorder is also a common type of Parasomnias sleeping disorder that leads to eating during sleep. People with sleep-related eating disorders, wake up in the middle of their sleep and search for food. They may walk to the kitchen or fridge to get food or start eating non-edible objects during the episode. In some cases, an individual with a sleep-related eating disorder can put sharp objects in their mouth or can get injured while trying to cook during sleep.
Sleep-related eating disorders can often result from impulsive eating disorders or other eating disorders.
REM sleep disorder is also a part of Parasomnias disorder where you have vivid dreams and act them out while sleeping. It is different from sleepwalking or night terroirs. With REM sleep behaviour disorder or REMBD, individuals are not as confused and can easily wake up and remember their dreams.
Some common characteristics of REM behaviour disorder include kicking, punching, jumping, shouting or grabbing.
Last but not least, sleep paralysis is also a type of Parasomnias but completely different from sleepwalking, sleep terroirs or, REM sleep behaviour disorder. In sleep paralysis, resumption or consciousness occurs while muscle Atonia of REM sleep is maintained. In this condition, individuals develop intense fear or terror as they gain a complete mental awakening but are unable to move any single part of their body.
Various factors can contribute to Parasomnias. Experts suggest different methods for the management of different types of Parasomnias. Knowing about the risk factors and triggers can help one better manage the condition they are suffering from. Here are some common causes of this sleeping disorder:
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and parasomnia can disturb a healthy sleep cycle and negatively impact one's daily life. That is why, effective management of the symptoms of Parasomnias is necessary. Here are some ways Parasomnias can affect your daily life:
Parasomnias affect a healthy sleep cycle. Patients with Parasomnias usually do not get restful sleep which results in daytime fatigue or unwillingness to engage in routine activities.
Parasomnia can also negatively impact your interpersonal and professional relationships as one fails to be fully present during daytime activities because of poor sleep quality at night.
Sleep is necessary for our brain to go through processes that help in concentration and other cerebral activities. Poor sleep caused by parasomnia can also result in difficulty in concentration.
Parasomnia disturbs the normal activity of the brain by reducing the quality of sleeping time. That is why, people with parasomnia also experience poor memory or difficulty in remembering things.
Parasomnias can also create a sense of confusion and slow reaction in people. Experts recommend people with parasomnia avoid driving or using any heavy machinery for risks of accidents.
People who suffer from Parasomnia can feel dizzy during waking hours which increases the risk of falling or stumbling.
Parasomnia affects sleep quality and chronic sleep problems can also affect one's mental health, contributing to symptoms of anxiety or panic disorder.
If you experience symptoms of Parasomnias, you should be careful during your waking hours to minimize risks of accidents and other problems.
As discussed, Parasomnias is a sleep-related disorder that can be diagnosed and treated with the help of a professional psychologist or psychiatrist. So, if you are thinking that you or your close ones might be suffering and want to go for a diagnosis, you should prepare yourself with what to expect, during a sleep evaluation for Parasomnias diagnosis. Below, we will discuss some essential things you can expect during a sleep analysis for Parasomnias -
Remember, Parasomnias is a medical condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated understand professional guidance. Parasomnias can cause various symptoms that can affect your regular sleep and daily activities. In some cases, it can put the individual suffering from Parasomnias or people around them in danger.
Fortunately, Parasomnias is completely curable. If you seek professional help on time, you can easily overcome the symptoms of Parasomnias. Here, we are going to explore the available treatment options for Parasomnias including both medical and behavioural approaches -
Natural remedies and lifestyle changes can help people suffering from parasomnia. Here are some tips and home remedies to manage parasomnia episodes:
One of the primary ways to deal with parasomnia naturally is to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Falling asleep and waking up at a certain time can help with parasomnia.
Taking natural sleeping aids such as chamomile or lavender tea before bedtime can create a soothing effect on the brain and help one easily fall asleep.
One must also practice mindfulness to reduce parasomnia triggers such as stress and anxiety. This will help one manage the symptoms of the sleep disorder.
Using a comfortable mattress can also aid in better sleep and can reduce the symptoms of Parasomnias.
Excessive use of caffeine or alcohol also causes sleep disorders like parasomnia. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol usage or reducing their intake helps manage parasomnia symptoms.
Our body temperature drops during sleep time. That is why, ensuring a cosy bedroom temperature is essential for better sleep quality.
Screen time negatively impacts your sleep cycle. Limiting screen time before bedtime is essential for maintaining sleep hygiene and managing parasomnia.
Regular exercise or yoga is also helpful for parasomnia and reduces symptoms like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome that sometimes lead to sleeping disorders.
If you are a shift worker and suffer from Parasomnia, it can be because of a disturbed circadian cycle. Adjusting your work schedule for a healthy sleep cycle can be helpful to reduce the symptoms of Parasomnia.
Parasomnia is usually considered harmless and non-dangerous. However, in certain cases where it exhibits severe symptoms that not only impact restful sleep but also put the individual or people around in danger, one must seek professional help before it's too late. Remember, if you are having Parasomnias episodes, you might not remember those incidents. But someone sharing a room with you might be able to point out these unusual sleep behaviours. So, if you or your close one has more than one or two symptoms of Parasomnias that are also unmanageable with traditional medication or home remedies, you should immediately seek professional help.