Parasomnias is a sleep disorder that involves abnormal behaviour and undesirable physical events that disrupt sleep. This problem can develop at any stage of sleep, like the transition from wakefulness to sleep. If you have parasomnia, you might talk, move around, or do unusual things while sleeping. Due to their strange way of sleeping, people around them think they are awake but unconscious. You might not even remember the incident after waking up.
While parasomnia is common, it can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. Your behaviours can also disturb the sleep of your partner. This condition can also be dangerous because you are unaware of your surroundings. People who struggle with Parasomnias can also develop health-related side effects like psychological stress.
An individual dealing with this problem might not notice any symptoms. However, their parents or family members may notice the following signs:
Parasomnia can occur due to several reasons. It is also associated with multiple triggers, such as:
Some health issues that can lead to parasomnias are:
Incomplete sleep or awakening between the sleep cycles can lead to parasomnias. High blood pressure, asthma, and certain allergies can also cause this problem.
When diagnosing, your health expert will ask you and your loved one about your sleep patterns and some common symptoms. You must provide your medical history, alcohol or substance use information, and family history.
Your family, roommate or partner may be advised to keep track of any unusual events at night. And you need to maintain a sleep diary to track your sleep cycle. Your health expert might request a sleep study that includes recording brain activity.
Parasomnia may prevent your mind and body from restful sleep. You may wake up feeling sleepy, have a headache in the morning, struggle to focus at work or generally throughout daily activities. It can also develop mental disorders like anxiety. Families, roommates or partners are recommended not to leave a people with parasomnia alone while they are sleeping since they could be injured during sleep activities.
There are different treatment methods to deal with and treat parasomnia. You might need to undergo cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This will also help you learn sleep restriction, stimulus control, and bright light therapy techniques. You will also be prescribed medications such as triazolam, eszopiclone, and zolpidem. Natural sleep aids, acupuncture, and meditation are the most common treatment techniques.
Preventing parasomnias is not always possible. Try to sleep on the same schedule on weekdays and weekends. Limit afternoon coffee, do some physical activities, and visit a therapist if you notice any signs of mental health problems. These simple techniques will help you manage your condition better.