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When you think about it,sleepis kind of a wild phenomenon.
Getty / Clare Mansell
Parasomnias happenwhen that transitional phase doesnt [occur] properly.
So, about those sleep transitions.
When youre sleeping, you cycle through several stages of rest.
Then theres rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is considered the dreaming state of rest.
It happens about every 90 minutes and gets longer as you continue to sleep, theNational Sleep Foundationsays.
How do you know if what you might think of as a quirky sleep habit is actually a parasomnia?
Heres a look at nine parasomniasand what to do if you experience them.
This is sometimes calledsleep drunkenness, but its less fun than it sounds.
Hence symptoms like being confused and talking about things that make absolutely zero sense.
Lifestyle factors that may interrupt your sleep, such asalcohol use, can also contribute.
Confusional arousals usually arent harmful.
it’s possible for you to talk to your doctor for more guidance.
Sleepwalking
This NREM parasomnia, also called somnambulism, typically involves getting up andstumbling around while youre still asleep.
Sleepwalkers also tend to be suggestible, Dr. Mindel says.
That means that a simple, Hey, why dont you go back to bed?
with a very gentle nudge might do the trick.
Most sleepwalking episodes are short and not a big deal.
Occasional sleepwalking doesnt typically need to be treated, theMayo Clinicsays.
They can help you evaluate factors that might be contributing to your sleepwalking by causing partial arousals.
SRED can be concerning.
You could eat something toxic, burn yourself, or even cause a fire, theAASMexplains.
This NREM parasomnia describes sexual behaviors that happen during sleep, according to theAmerican Sleep Association.
Researchers arent quite sure what causes it, though itdoes appearto be associated with confusional arousals.
Manypeople who experience sexsomniahave also been diagnosed with other NREM sleep parasomnias.
As is true with many other parasomnias, one potential danger here is injury to yourself or someone else.
There can be other consequences too.
If youre having sex with a partner while partially asleep, consent is not possible.
In some instances, sexsomniahas been discussedin sexual assault and rape cases.
Night terrors
One second, youre lying in bed.
The next, youre shrieking, kicking, thrashing, or shouting things that other people cant understand.
Then, when you wake up, all you might remember is the horror.
This is a typical night terror (or sleep terror) episode.
Sleep apnea can be a contributing factor because it prompts those partial arousals, according to theMayo Clinic.
Other possible factors include stress, sleep deprivation,depression, andanxiety.
That may also help you address any underlying medical issues that could be contributing, like sleep apnea.
As youre probably aware, issues likestressand anxiety can predispose you to nightmares, as mightsleep apnea and insomnia.
Certain medications, like some antidepressants, may also have nightmares as a side effect.
If youre worried about your nightmares, talk to your doctor or therapist.
Unfortunately, for people withsleep paralysis, this might be just another night.
But whats actually going on?
During REM sleep, your brain relaxes your muscles to the point that youre more or less rendered immobile.
The process is calledatonia, and it keeps you from acting out your dreams, explains Dr. Epstein.
In most people, if youre woken up from dream sleep, this sleep paralysis goes away right away.
But for some people, that doesnt happen and paralysis can linger into wakefulness, he says.
And isolated incidents typically arent a major cause for concern.
But recurring episodes are sometimes linked tonarcolepsy, a sleep disorder that involves drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks.
Lack of sleep can additionally increase the risk of sleep paralysis.
REM sleep behavior disorder
This is the parasomnia doctors say they tend to worry about most.
People with REM sleep behavior disorder lose the ability to remain immobile during REM sleep, explains Dr. Epstein.
Narcolepsy is another risk factor.
That doesnt mean you definitely have aneurological conditionif youre dealing with REM sleep behavior disorder.
