What are parasomnias?
Parasomnias are unwanted physical events or experiences that happen as you fall asleep, during sleep, or as you wake up. Think of them as your brain getting caught partway between sleeping and waking — one part of the brain is asleep while another is active enough to move, talk, or feel intense emotion.
Most parasomnias are harmless and pass on their own, especially in children. But when they cause injury, disrupt your sleep, or begin later in life, they're worth a professional look. The good news is that they respond well to the right approach.
Common types
Sleepwalking
Getting up and moving around — sometimes doing complex tasks — while still asleep, usually with no memory of it in the morning.
Night terrors
Sudden episodes of screaming, fear, and a racing heart during deep sleep. Most common in children, who typically don't remember them.
Confusional arousals
Waking up disoriented and slow to respond, often with slurred speech or odd behavior, before drifting back to sleep.
REM sleep behavior disorder
Physically acting out vivid dreams — kicking, punching, or shouting. More common in older adults and important to evaluate.
Nightmares
Frightening dreams that wake you fully and are easy to recall. Frequent nightmares can be tied to stress, trauma, or medications.
Other events
Sleep talking, sleep-related eating, and teeth grinding also fall under the parasomnia umbrella and can be assessed.
Common signs
- 1 Walking, sitting up, or moving while asleep
- 2 Screaming, thrashing, or panic at night
- 3 Little or no memory of the event
- 4 Waking confused or disoriented
- 5 Acting out dreams with movement
- 6 Bruises or injuries with no clear cause
How we diagnose it
Most of what we need comes from your story. A typical path with us looks like: