PARASOMNIA DISORDER

GENERAL INFORMATION

The person with Parasomnia Disorder is characterized by alterations or abnormal physiological behaviors that disturb nocturnal sleep. They can occur in the sleep-wake transition or during any of the sleep phases. A person with this disorder will manifest symptoms during a specific phase of sleep.

During appearance of the symptoms, mechanisms of the vegetative nervous system, motor system or cognitive processes of the person are activated altering the person´s quality of life by interrupting a healthful sleep. Phenomena is usually accompanied by physiological changes such as cardiovascular rhythms or muscular activation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the most common types of parasomnias?
The most common types of parasomnias include:
Sleepwalking: The sleeping person walks, talks and performs actions as if he or she is awake. Usually, he has no memories of these acts upon awakening.
Nightmares: Dreams with terrifying content that usually occur later at night. People often feel very anxious.
Night terrors: These can manifest as individual ../images usually in the early stages of the sleep cycle. The agitated person reacts with shouting. He or she usually does not remember why and has difficulty in waking up despite the efforts of others.

What are the causes of parasomnias?
There is vulnerability to factors of a genetic nature; these may be associated with other risk factors, such as, the appearance of migraines, stress, and emotional situations. The may also be related to brain disorders and REM sleep disturbances.

What other parasomnias are there?
Nightmare Disorder, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Restless Legs Syndrome constitute other Parasomnia disorders.

How do these disorders affect a person's quality of life?
A disorder of this nature can affect the quality of life of the person according to its severity and frequency. The person should seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms are constant and beginning to interrupt periods of rest. Behaviors that occur while sleeping can expose the person to suffer some type of fall or accident or experience extreme agitation and high anxiety during their manifestation.