9 Types of Parasomnias That Might Explain That Weird Thing You Do When You Sleep

Self.com | June 5, 2019 | Cassie Shortsleeve

1. Confusional arousals

If you wake up feeling disoriented or acting strangely (read: you’re speaking slowly or are answering questions weirdly), you could be experiencing a confusional arousal. This is sometimes called sleep drunkenness, but it’s less fun than it sounds.

2. Sleepwalking

3. Sleep-talking

To minimize sleep-talking episodes on your own, it might help to practice good sleep hygiene habits including sticking to a regular sleep schedule, getting a full night’s rest, and not drinking too much alcohol before bed. 

4. Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED)

People with SRED partially wake up during NREM sleep and binge, often on combinations of high-calorie, high-carb, high-fat foods, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many people with SRED have an episode nearly every night, and they can happen more than once a night as well.

5. Sexsomnia

As is true with many other parasomnias, one potential danger here is injury to yourself or someone else. There can be other consequences too. 

6. Night terrors

7. Nightmare disorder

[Not sure how this differs from #6, because I didn’t read the article all that closely.]

8. Sleep paralysis

9. REM sleep behavior disorder

This is the parasomnia doctors say they tend to worry about most. REM sleep behavior disorder can cause you to act out your dreams in a way that could be harmful, according to the AASM. You might kick to fend off an imaginary intruder or try to outrun a monster in your nightmare—basically do anything physical that might lead you to hurt yourself or your bed partner.

People with REM sleep behavior disorder lose the ability to remain immobile during REM sleep, explains Dr. Epstein [who did not kill himself].