Information on Sleep Disorders
(Adapted from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders,  American Academy of Sleep Medicine  2006.)

PARASOMNIAS

Confusional arousals – Mental confusion or a confused behavior arises from an individual who was asleep. This activity may include talking, shouting, or sleep sex.

Sleepwalking, also called somnambulism – Sleepwalking consists of complex behaviors, which may include violent activity, talking, eating, etc. Generally the individual does not remember the activity the next day.

Sleep terrors, also called Night Terrors – This disorder is also an arousal disorder, but it is often accompanied by a scream or loud cry, sweating, rapid heart rate, and rapid breathing.

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder – This disorder is characterized by abnormal behaviors which emerge during REM sleep or dream sleep and can cause injury or sleep disruption. The activity is often dream-enacting behavior and may include punching, kicking, running movements, crawling, talking, etc.

Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis – Individuals complain of the sensation that they are unable to move their body when first falling asleep or waking up. This may also occur during the night if an arousal or awakening occurs. This symptom can be associated with narcolepsy.

Nightmare disorder – Frightening dreams which often result in awakenings.

Sleep related dissociative disorders – This disorder is common in individuals who have had physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, along with a chronic history of psychiatric disorders particularly dissociative disorder.

Sleep related groaning (Catathrenia) – This disorder tends to be chronic and occurs nightly. It is associated with loud expiratory groaning during sleep. No other medical condition such as sleep apnea accounts for the groaning.

Exploding head syndrome – Individuals with this disorder describe a sudden loud imagined noise or the sensation of an explosion in their head, generally at sleep onset.

Sleep related hallucinations – These hallucinations generally occur just before falling asleep, or upon awakening during the night. In some cases, they will be present in the morning hours. These symptoms may be seen with narcolepsy or seizure disorders.

Sleep related eating disorder – Individuals who eat during their sleep period generally describe involuntary episodes of eating or drinking during arousals from sleep. In some cases, the person has partial recall for the event.