Parasomnias

Parasomnias

Parasomnias, also called disorders of arousal during sleep, are a group of conditions characterized by unusual behaviors that may not be noticed during sleep or recalled when awakened. They are most common in children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old.

Some of these behaviors can be harmless and require no treatment. These include sleep talking and auditory sensations like a loud bang. Others may be relieved by good sleep habits, behavioral treatments or medicines.

Parasomnia symptoms may include:

  • Night terrors (when a child may sit upright suddenly, shout or flail about while asleep)
  • Sleepwalking
  • Nightmares
  • Nocturnal eating

Education, reassurance and good sleep habits can help with parasomnias, which usually decrease with age.

Diagnosis of Parasomnias

A sleep team that includes a psychologist certified in behavioral sleep medicine and a pediatric doctor certified in sleep medicine can evaluate complex parasomnias and develop a treatment plan for your child. The sleep team at Riley at IU Health may use the following tools and tests to diagnose parasomnias:

  • Sleep evaluation questionnaire. You will provide a detailed history of family and child sleep habits.
  • Sleep diary. You or your child will keep a daily log of times when he or she is awake and asleep over a specified period of time.
  • Video recording. You will make a home video (you can use your cell phone) of the behavior of concern. You will bring that with you to your child's appointment to share with the doctor.
  • Sleep study with EEG. Overnight observation of your child sleeping will include an electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG detects electrical abnormalities in the brain and can help diagnose medical conditions that may cause parasomnias.

Treatments

Depending on the type of behavior, parasomnias may benefit from therapies, medicines or a combination of both. These include:

  • Behavioral therapy. You and your child's doctor will work to promote good sleep habits which include maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule and adequate sleep for your child’s age.
  • Sleep disorder treatment. If there are concurrent sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, addressing these may improve the parasomnia.
  • Medicines. These may include anti-seizure medications or sedatives to induce sound sleep.

Key Points to Remember

  • Parasomnias are most common in children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old.
  • This group of conditions includes night terrors, sleepwalking, nightmares and nocturnal eating.
  • Your child may not be aware of these behaviors and may not remember them upon awaking.
  • Treatment for parasomnias may include behavioral therapies, medicines and sleep disorder treatment

Support Services & Resources

Use these resources to learn more about parasomnias.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation shares more information about sleep and parasomnias on its website.

Sleep Education

This educational website is provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

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Departments Treating This Condition