Notes

Types of Sleep Disorders
A sleep disorder causes an abnormal change in your natural sleep and wake cycles. It can lead to problems with your mood, concentration, work and driving, as well as health issues.

Symptoms include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking too early, waking too late, or experiencing unusual movements or experiences during sleep. These disorders are often caused by underlying psychiatric or medical conditions.
Insomnia

People with insomnia experience difficulty falling or staying asleep. They may also wake up early in the morning and struggle to fall back asleep. They may feel tired throughout the day and have trouble concentrating or making decisions.

Many factors can cause insomnia, including mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. Other common causes are a change in sleep habits or environment, such as traveling to different time zones, shift work or caffeine or alcohol use.

Medical conditions, such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux and Parkinson's disease, and sleep-related disorders, such as restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea can all affect sleep. Age, especially as people get older, can also be a factor. It's important to see a doctor if someone is having trouble sleeping.
Sleep Terrors

These episodes are characterized by intense autonomic arousal with mydriasis, tachycardia and profuse sweating. During an episode, the person may shout or speak loudly. They may thrash around in bed or run or jump out of bed. They usually do not remember the event when they wake up.

It is generally recommended that loved ones not attempt to wake them up during an episode of sleep terror as this can agitate the individual and prolong the episode. Instead, they should offer nonphysical comfort. Having good sleeping habits, eliminating caffeine and making sure the bedroom is free of distractions can help. Reducing stress through coping techniques and therapy may also decrease the frequency of sleep terrors. Treating underlying conditions such as sleep apnea can also decrease the incidence of parasomnias like night terrors.
Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a type of parasomnia, a group of disorders that involve undesired behavior during sleep. During an episode, people sit up or walk around while asleep and may do things like use the bathroom or dress themselves. They might also leave the house or even drive a car. Sleepwalking episodes are typically short and don't usually cause harm, but they can cause problems with family and social relationships.

Sleepwalking is more common in children and often improves by adolescence, but it can persist into adulthood. Behavioral therapy and medication can help. Changing the environment where sleepwalking occurs can also be helpful, such as putting a lock on doors and keeping dangerous objects out of reach. Other treatments can include limiting stimulants before bed and using a consistent sleep schedule.
Nightmare Disorder

Nightmares are vivid, frightening dreams that appear during REM sleep. They usually involve threatening or violent scenes. When nightmares are related to a trauma, such as a serious accident or the death of a loved one, they are called posttraumatic nightmares.

Frequent nightmares are often associated with certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders. They also occur with chronic medical problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Nightmares can also be a side effect of some medications, such as blood pressure and heart drugs, antidepressants and painkillers.

A nightmare disorder diagnosis is usually based on a person’s description of their symptoms. A healthcare provider may ask questions about other health problems and family history. Nonmedication treatment approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and image reversal therapy, can reduce nightmares for some people.
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by reenactment of vivid dreams with motor behaviors. It results from loss of muscle atonia (which normally occurs during REM sleep) and can range from benign hand gestures to violent thrashing, punching, and kicking. These movements are accompanied by a series of vocalizations that may be loud and laden with expletives. RBD poses a significant risk of injury to the individual and to bed partners.

RBD is a clinical marker of prodromal alpha-synuclein neurodegeneration and offers the opportunity for early identification of potential disease-modifying therapies. RBD is common in patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Several studies suggest that the incidence of idiopathic RBD is increasing. Medical alert In a community-based sample, RBD was associated with antidepressants and psychiatric diagnoses, as well as with potassium channel antibody-associated limbic encephalitis.
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