Parasomnias is a term that refers to several sleep related, abnormal behaviors such as sleep eating, sleep walking, night terrors, sleep paralysis, sleep hallucinations, sleep aggression, teeth grinding and dream-enacting behaviors. These strange behaviors and emotions typically occur during the onset of sleep, during sleep, and during arousal from sleep. Parasomnias most commonly occur during the transition from REM sleep to wakefulness.
Parasomnias are commonly triggered by alcohol, illness, physical activity, medications, emotional stress, depression, anxiety, heredity, or sleep deprivation.
Diagnosis of Parasomnias is conducted through a sleep evaluation by a sleep specialist at a sleep lab.
