Before we proceed towards discussing parasomnia treatment, let us first understand the complete implications of this term. The term parasomnia includes within its scope a number of different symptoms, that together comprise a group of eight sleep disorders which are classified under two separate categories - REM (Rapid Eye Movement stage of sleep) parasomnias and NREM (Non Rapid Eye Movement stage of sleep) parasomnias. A parasomnia disorder is symptomized by a set of unusual movements, actions, dream patterns and perceptions, just before falling asleep, while sleeping, or just before waking up. Also, these symptoms can occur anywhere between the sleep stages themselves such as between REM and NREM, between N1 and N2 or N2 and N3 or between N3 and SWS (Slow Wave Sleep, which is the last stage just before arousal from sleep).
Parasomnia Symptoms
Let's take a more detailed look at the various symptoms and occurrences/events that take place between falling asleep and waking up, to better understand what the treatment of this disorder is aimed at and how it works. As mentioned above, there are eight different indications and events that comprise the entire scope of parasomnia. These include REM sleep behavior disorder (which is characterized by the subject indulging in physical action in accordance with vivid dreams while in the REM stage of sleep such as holding on to the bed or trashing around), Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis (which is characterized by feeling awake in one's dreams and finding oneself unable to move for a few moments after a perceived arousal from sleep), Catathrenia (characterized by holding one's breath during sleep and emitting a groan while breathing out), Somnambulism (sleepwalking), night terrors, Bruxism (grinding one's teeth while in deep sleep), and Restless Legs Syndrome and Confusional arousals (characterized by random waking spells accompanied by violent thrashings or inconsolable sobbing and weeping, especially in case of parasomnia in children).
Parasomnia Symptoms
Let's take a more detailed look at the various symptoms and occurrences/events that take place between falling asleep and waking up, to better understand what the treatment of this disorder is aimed at and how it works. As mentioned above, there are eight different indications and events that comprise the entire scope of parasomnia. These include REM sleep behavior disorder (which is characterized by the subject indulging in physical action in accordance with vivid dreams while in the REM stage of sleep such as holding on to the bed or trashing around), Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis (which is characterized by feeling awake in one's dreams and finding oneself unable to move for a few moments after a perceived arousal from sleep), Catathrenia (characterized by holding one's breath during sleep and emitting a groan while breathing out), Somnambulism (sleepwalking), night terrors, Bruxism (grinding one's teeth while in deep sleep), and Restless Legs Syndrome and Confusional arousals (characterized by random waking spells accompanied by violent thrashings or inconsolable sobbing and weeping, especially in case of parasomnia in children).
