Parasomnias

your worst nightmares actually came true. Although this is not typically a common occurrence amongst most individuals, for some, it can become a reality. Odd or dangerous behaviors that are exhibited during states of sleep are known as parasomnias. Most parasomnias are relatively harmless in nature, as is the case with the majority of movements associated with some sleep disorders, such as eating or talking while asleep.

Parasomnias Introduction Parasomnias is a variety is sleep disorders that cause abnormal behavior in brain activity. Para means “faulty”, and the Latin origin of somnia, “somnus” means “sleep” (source 5). About 1% to 10% of the population experiences those sleeping disorders, most of which are children. This sleeping disorder usually occurs during the transition from one sleeping stage to another; the two sleeping stages include Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep (source 4). Those

occurrence. However, observing a person going through one of these episodes makes it appear that the person is witnessing pure horror, not to mention the confusion if they happen to wake up. This paper will explore the psychophysiological aspects of parasomnia with a focus on night terrors and sleep walking. Including psychological aspects that pertain to the mind, and the physiological aspects that pertain to the living system of sleepwalking and night terrors. The paper will also examine an actual

Parasomnia Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive, sleep-related events or, "disorders of arousal." These behaviors and experiences occur usually while sleeping, and most are often infrequent and mild. They may however happen often enough to become so bothersome that medical attention should be sought out. "Parasomnias are disorders characterized by abnormal behavior or physiological events occurring in association with sleep stages, or sleep-wake transitions."(DSM pg. 435)

Steven Knight is a 27 year old male who has a long history of parasomnia. Since the age of 13 Stevens parents had noticed he had begun both sleep walking and sleep talking. Mr. Knight was engaged to be married on April 26, 2014 to his 26 year old wife to be Kelly Love. The day unfortunately never arrived because the day before his wedding, he murdered his fiancé. Miss Love had spoken to Mr. Knights mother two weeks before the wedding, stating that she was noticing that his somnambulism and somniloquy

(Progressive Medical Center). These disorders come in many different colors and sizes, ranging from trouble getting to sleep to constant nightmares and waking in confusion. This may not sound very monstrous however,  disorders like insomnia, different parasomnias, and sleep paralysis can be very scary and ruin people's lives. Lack of sleep puts you at higher risk for heart problems, stroke, obesity, and even mental impairment. Sleep is crucial to rejuvenate and restore the brain and to regulate your body's

35). He also goes on to say, "[parasomnias] are by definition occult, because they appear when most people are unable to witness them" (p. 35). Other parasomnias that are better known than NSRED include sleepwalking and sleep terrors. Parasomnias such as these are extremely common in children ages 4 to 12. In fact, they are so common that they are considered normal behavior (Brown, 2002). Parasomnias, NSRED included, can cause self-injuries and lack of self-control

Somnambulism or sleepwalking is a major reason many people wake up with unexplainable bruises or are wearing an outfit they don’t remember putting on. Sleepwalking falls under the wide umbrella of sleep disorders called parasomnias, or anything that can go amiss during sleep. Although the category is similar, somnambulism differs from night terrors. Sufferers are not in fact acting out their dreams but simply moving due to confusion in the central nervous system (Guilleminault, 2006). Many facets

More than three decades ago until today, sleep medicine technology has developed into a complex health care field and RT’s are progressively being called upon to specialize in this zone of care. Polysomnography is a word that comes from the Greek and each term have different meanings. Poly means many, somno means sleep, and graphy means write. This term indicates an assortment of tests carried out on patients while they sleep. Polysomnography is an overnight test, which helps to analyze sleep disorders

different type of sleep disorders called dyssomnias and parasomnias (Learn the Types, n.d.). Dyssomnias are not psychosocial hindering sleep disorders unlike parasomnias. Not getting enough sleep, a tough time trying to go to sleep, and attaining an increased amount of sleep are all symptoms considered as dyssomnia (Learn the Types, n.d.). More people suffer from this disorder than a much unusual symptom called parasomnia. Dissimilar to dyssomnia, parasomnia is a sleep disorder that interferes with our sleep