Parasomnia is a type of sleep disorder characterized by unusual or hazardous events that disrupt sleep. This category of disorders includes conditions such as sleep talking, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, REM behavior disorder, and nocturnal dissociative disorder.Sleep talking can vary from a few words to lengthy monologues, with the individual having no memory of the conversation. This condition is generally harmless. Sleepwalking involves getting out of bed and moving around while still asleep. It is more common in children and can be hereditary. Sleep terrors resemble intense nightmares and are marked by extreme fear, often with screaming and physical movements. About 15% of children might experience night terrors after certain events, like surgery, occurring up to two weeks later. During these episodes, children may seem awake but are deeply asleep and unresponsive to attempts to wake them.REM behavior disorder is characterized by physically acting out dreams during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This condition is most prevalent in older men, who often remember the dreams, and it is typically treated with medication or tranquilizers. Nocturnal dissociative disorder involves individuals leaving their beds to re-enact experiences of sexual or physical abuse.
