Sexsomnia in Active Duty Military: A Series of Four Cases

Abstract

Sexsomnia is a type of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnia in which sexual behaviors arise during sleep; these behaviors are varied and can include masturbation, orgasms with or without self-stimulation, sexual vocalizations and talking, and sexual fondling and/or intercourse with the bed partner. The military creates a challenging environment, with sleep deprivation, shift work, and increased psychosocial stress that may predispose service members to an increased risk for all NREM parasomnias, including sexsomnia. Given that sexsomnia is sometimes invoked in sexual assault military lawsuits, it may behoove the military community to understand how this condition usually manifests so that its medicolegal implications can be addressed more clearly. Here, we present the largest case series of sexsomnia to date in active duty military service members, which adds to the limited literature on such cases in the military and to the broader but still growing literature on this rare disorder. We compare and contrast these cases with the available literature to highlight their similarities and differences in addition to commenting on the relevance of these cases in forensic investigations. As none of these cases were involved in legal issues, they could provide useful information about this rare condition in individuals who are less likely to be affected by the biases that are inherent to litigation.