Sleep disorders
Parasomnias
Unwanted phenomena that occur during sleep or in its transitions. Not a psychological disorder as such, but a disorder of sleep architecture.
What it is
Parasomnias appear when the brain is caught between stages: one part of it is asleep while another becomes active.
In deep-sleep parasomnias — sleepwalking, night terrors, confusional arousals — the person usually remembers nothing the next morning.
They are triggered and worsened by sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol, fever, irregular schedules and by other sleep disorders that fragment sleep.
How it shows up
- Sleepwalking, or sitting up awake and confused
- Night terrors with a scream and intense autonomic arousal
- Talking in your sleep
- No memory of the episode in the morning
- Episodes in the first third of the night
How it is treated
- 01
Stabilising the schedule and getting enough sleep — sleep deprivation is the strongest trigger.
- 02
Safety measures in the bedroom, where there is a risk of injury.
- 03
Identifying and removing triggers, together with stress management.
- 04
Treating any underlying disorder that is fragmenting sleep.
Important
Episodes with vigorous movement in the second half of the night, especially in older adults, need medical assessment and a sleep study.
Let's find out whether this is what is happening to you.