Are parasomnias harmful?

Are parasomnias harmful?

Irshaad Ebrahim (Medical Director of The London Sleep Centre) gives expert video advice on: What is parasomnia?; Are parasomnias harmful?; How can parasomnias be cured? and more...

Parasomnias are divided into those that have a tendency for violence and those who have a tendency for no violence. There are two particular types of parasomnia that are frequently associated with violence and harm. The most common association between violence and harm in a parasomnia occurs in a condition called REM sleep behavioral disorder. In this condition, during REM sleep, or during dreaming sleep, the person acts out their dreams. There is no suppression of the motor system that usually occurs in all of us when we dream. In other words, most people are paralyzed in dreaming sleep. In this proportion of people with REM sleep behavioral disorder, there is loss of their paralysis. So they are able to act out their dreams. They report typically, violent dreams and tend to become violent with the person in the bed next to them. These are very vivid dreams and very vivid enactment of violent dreams. This condition is a potentially serious condition in that it is associated with the latent development of Parkinson's disease in approximately 60% of people with this diagnosis. REM sleep behavioral disorder can also be precipitated by the use of certain drugs that act in the brain. In particular, the use of anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medications have a tendency to cause REM sleep behavioral disorder.