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Related Experiment Videos

Sexsomnia--a new parasomnia?

Colin M Shapiro1, Nikola N Trajanovic, J Paul Fedoroff

  • 1Sleep and Alertness Clinic, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. colin.shapiro@uhn.on.ca

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|July 18, 2003
PubMed
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What's in a Name? A Phenomenological Exploration of Hypersexuality Narratives.

International journal of sexual health : official journal of the World Association for Sexual Health·2024

Sexsomnia, a distinct parasomnia involving sexual behavior during sleep, is described. This condition, often unrecognized, shares features with sleepwalking but has unique characteristics.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders.
  • Nonrapid eye movement arousal parasomnias include sleepwalking and night terrors.
  • Sexual behaviors during sleep represent a poorly understood phenomenon.

Observation:

  • A case series identified eleven patients exhibiting distinct sexual behaviors during sleep.
  • These behaviors, termed sexsomnia, share similarities with sleepwalking.
  • Patients were referred for various sleep issues or involved in medicolegal cases.

Findings:

  • Sexsomnia is characterized by prominent automatic arousal.
  • Motor activities are specific and restricted during episodes.
  • Dream mentation is often present during sexsomnia events.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Sexsomnia differs from sleepwalking with distinct features.

    • Implications:

    • Sexsomnia may be more prevalent than previously recognized.
    • Specific questioning is crucial for identifying sexsomnia cases.
    • Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and treatment of sexsomnia.