Highlights & Basics
- Parasomnias are undesirable events occurring during sleep or during the transition into or out of sleep. They may occur during nonrapid eye movement or rapid eye movement sleep, depending on the type of parasomnia.
- They include abnormal behaviors (e.g., sleep-related eating) or dreams (e.g., nightmare disorder).
- Diagnosis relies mainly on careful history from the patient or, more commonly, the bed partner or other household members.
- Treatment is indicated if the parasomnia may result in injury to patient or bed partner or if sleep is significantly disrupted.
- Management depends on the type of parasomnia and includes reassurance, sleep environment modification, cognitive therapy, and pharmacotherapy.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The AASM international classification of sleep disorders - third edition, text revision (ICSD-3-TR). Jun 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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Morgenthaler TI, Auerbach S, Casey KR, et al. Position paper for the treatment of nightmare disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position paper. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 Jun 15;14(6):1041-55.[Abstract][Full Text]
Howell M, Avidan AY, Foldvary-Schaefer N, et al. Management of REM sleep behavior disorder: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023 Apr 1;19(4):759-68.[Abstract][Full Text]
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