parasomniák

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal behaviors, experiences, or physiological events that occur during sleep. These can happen as a person is falling asleep, during deep sleep, or during REM sleep, or when waking up from sleep. While the person may appear to be awake and acting, they are actually asleep and have no memory of the event afterward.

Common examples of parasomnias include sleepwalking (somnambulism), night terrors, and nightmare disorder. Sleepwalking involves complex behaviors like walking or talking while asleep, often without awareness. Night terrors are sudden episodes of intense fear during sleep, typically accompanied by screaming, thrashing, and a racing heart, but without the vivid imagery of nightmares. Nightmare disorder is characterized by frequent, distressing dreams that often lead to waking up feeling fearful.

Other types of parasomnias include REM sleep behavior disorder, where individuals physically act out their dreams, sometimes violently, and sleep paralysis, a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when falling asleep or waking up.

The exact causes of parasomnias are not fully understood, but they are often linked to factors such as genetics, stress, sleep deprivation, certain medications, and other underlying medical or psychiatric conditions. Diagnosis usually involves a review of sleep history and sometimes a sleep study (polysomnography) to monitor brain activity, eye movements, and muscle activity during sleep. Treatment approaches vary depending on the specific parasomnia and its severity, ranging from lifestyle adjustments and stress management to medication or psychotherapy.