Parasomnias

Abstract

Parasomnias are common in the benign forms such as sleepwalking and sleep talking. The more dramatic forms such as sleep terrors and confusional awakenings occur frequently in childhood, but attenuate in the teen years. REM behavior disorder, seen in the elderly, is an uncommon entity. Generally diagnosis is based upon clinical history with sleep studies reserved for unusual presentation. The focus of treatment is attention to sleep hygiene with medication(s) reserved for more severe and repetitive cases.