Parasomnias

Specialty Area: Sleep Medicine

Para-somnia literally means behaviors occurring at the time of sleep. In general, these behaviors occur during the transition from sleep-wake or during transitions within the different stages of sleep.

In most cases, parasomnias are infrequent and benign and do not require medical attention. A formal evaluation by a sleep specialist should be considered in the following situations:

1. Episodes result in injury to the individual or others
2. Episodes result in significant sleep disruption to the individual or members of their household
3. Episodes result in significant daytime dysfunction.

Some of the conditions categorized as parasomnias include:

• Nightmares
• Night terrors
• Sleep walking
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Sleep-related eating disorders
• Somniloquy (talking in one’s sleep)