Parasomnias: Types, Symptoms, & Causes

How your sleep specialist in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, can help when you have a sleep disorder

Do you wake up tired, feeling like you haven’t slept at all? If so, you could have a parasomnia, or sleep disorder which causes you to be active while you sleep. You might have excessive movements, talk, become emotional, or perform an activity. Your sleep specialist can help you sleep well again.

Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists provides comprehensive sleep medicine services, including treatment for parasomnias. He has two convenient office locations in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, to help you.

Parasomnias are classified according to when they happen in the sleep cycle, whether in the non-rapid eye movement (Non-REM), or rapid eye movement (REM) phases.

Non-REM parasomnias include:

Night terrors, in which you wake up terrified. You might experience a rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, rapid breathing, and sweating.

Sleepwalking, during which you get up from the bed and move around the room. Your eyes are open, and you may talk and perform activities.

Confusional arousal, during which you are confused and unaware of your surroundings. You may sit up from bed and speak.

Sleep-related eating disorder, in which you eat and drink non-typical foods or beverages while partially awake.

REM parasomnias include:

Nightmare disorder, during which you dream vividly, resulting in fear and terror. This disorder may occur under stress or if you’ve experienced a traumatic event or illness.

Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis, during which you are unable to move your extremities or body while you are sleeping.

REM sleep behavior disorder, during which you act out, talk, or vocalize emotions. You may make aggressive movements during sleep.

Parasomnias can be caused by:

    • Genetics
    • Stress
    • Medications, including depression, seizure, and high blood pressure medications
    • Sleep deprivation
    • Irregular sleep schedules
    • Excess alcohol consumption
    • Substance abuse
    • Head trauma
    • Inflammatory diseases
    • Psychiatric issues including PTSD, depression, or anxiety

To find out more about parasomnias and other sleep issues, talk with an expert. Call Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists. You can reach him in the Bradenton, FL, office by calling (941) 792-8383, or in Sarasota, FL, at (941) 827-0701, so call now.