Parasomnia
Parasomnias are disruptive sleep-related disorders that can occur during arousals from REM sleep or partial arousals from Non-REM sleep. Parasomnias include nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, confused arousals and many others.
Sleepwalking is commonly seen in older children, and can range from simply getting out of bed and walking around the bedroom to prolonged and complex actions, such as going to another part of the house or even outdoors. A sleepwalker will sometimes speak, but is unlikely to be clearly understood. Sometimes complicated behaviors take place during a sleepwalking episode (such as rearranging furniture), but these activities are usually not purposeful. While injuries during sleepwalking are uncommon, sleepwalkers may put themselves in harm's way-such as walking outside in bedclothes during the winter.
A rare variation of sleepwalking is "sleep-related eating". This disorder manifests itself as recurrent episodes of eating during sleep, without conscious awareness. Sleep-related eating can occur often enough to result in significant weight gain. Although it can affect both sexes and all ages, it is most common in young women.
Sleep terrors are the most extreme and dramatic of the arousal disorders, and the most distressing to witness. A sleep terror episode often begins with a "blood-curdling" scream or shouts, and can produce signs that suggest extreme terror, such as dilated pupils, rapid breathing, racing heart, sweating, and extreme agitation. During a sleep terror episode, the victim may bolt out of bed and run around the room or even out of the house. In the course of the frenzied event, sleepers can hurt themselves or others.
Treatment
Since most of these sleep-related behaviors are due to disorders of arousal-which are not medically significant-medical evaluation and treatment is often not necessary. Medical attention should be considered, however, if the Parasomnia behaviors: 1) are violent or may cause injury; 2) are disturbing to other household members; or 3) result in excessive daytime sleepiness.
This information should not substitute seeking responsible, professional medical care.