Parasomnias are a variety of sleeping disorders that are associated with dissociated sleep states characterized by partial arousals during the transitions between wakefulness (REM sleep) and NREM (non rapid eye movement sleep). In a parasomnia the individual exhibits, symptoms of being asleep as well as awake at the same time. This disorder involves physical or verbal behaviors that are considered to be dangerous and undesirable.

Types of Parasomnias:

Confusional Arousals: This disorder causes the individual to awaken from a period of deep sleep during the early part of the night. The individual with this parasomnia is usually confused, moves and reacts very slowly and has problems with short-term memory.

Nightmares: Most of us have experienced nightmares at some point of time. They occur in REM sleep and can often be vividly recalled. They may cause anxiety or fear in the mind of the individual.

Night Terrors: Here individuals, especially children awaken from deep sleep with signs of intense arousal and powerful feelings of fear. Yet they have no memory of any dream relating to these feelings. Night terrors seem to occur mainly during Stage 4 sleep.

Sleepwalking: This is perhaps the most dramatic disorder associated with slow-wave sleep and is also known as somnambulism. Here the individual walks in his/her sleep and wake up suddenly to find out that they have gotten out f bed and have walked into another room. About 25 percent of children go through one or more episodes of sleep walking.

Nocturnal leg Cramps: This is characterized by the sudden, painful cramping of one or both calf muscles during sleep. The cramp usually lasts for about 10 minutes and the pain resulting from the cramp may last much longer.

REM sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): This disorder mostly occurs in older men and is characterized by acting out violent dreams through body movements and sounds.

Sleep Bruxism: this disorder is characterized by the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth while sleeping.

Sleep Talking: This includes the individual uttering sentences or sounds while sleeping and does not remember this in the morning.

Sleep Enuresis: This is also known as bedwetting and is characterized by an individual’s inability to control the urinary functions while sleeping.

Sleep Paralysis: An individual with this disorder are unable to move any part of their body while going to sleep or when waking up. This paralysis state can be very frightening, although these episodes may last for very brief moments.