Parasomnias
Bradley V. Vaughn, Nathan A. Walker
April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780197756782.003.0029 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Key findings | The chapter organizes parasomnias by the sleep stage from which they arise, distinguishing non-REM events such as sleepwalking, night terrors, confusional arousals, and sleep-related eating disorder from REM-related events such as REM behavior disorder, recurrent isolated sleep paralysis, and nightmare disorder, and separately considers events not confined to either stage, including exploding head syndrome and hypnic hallucinations. |
Abstract
Abstract Parasomnias are undesirable or physical events that occur with sleep. These events occur out of non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and involve a variety of behaviors. In this chapter we will discuss the classification, key elements, and the underlying pathophysiology of parasomnias and then highlight the important distinguishing features of these prominent events such as sleepwalking, night terrors, confusional arousals, sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), REM behavior disorder (RBD), recurrent isolated sleep paralysis, and nightmare disorder. We will also review other parasomnias that are not confined to NREM or REM sleep such as exploding head syndrome and hypnic or sleep-related hallucinations. Through this chapter the reader should gain an understanding of the categorization and foundational points regarding parasomnias.