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Published on: September 22, 2020
[Parasomnias]
Bjørn Bjorvatn1, Janne Grønli, Ståle Pallesen
1Institutt for samfunnsmedisinske fag, Universitetet i Bergen, Postboks 7804, 5020 Bergen, Norway. bjorn.bjorvatn@isf.uib.no
Summary
Parasomnias, or sleep disorders, are categorized into non-REM, REM, and other types. While common in children, drug treatment for these sleep phenomena is rarely needed.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurology
Context:
- Parasomnias are abnormal sleep-related experiences.
- Understanding parasomnia subtypes is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose:
- To describe the characteristics of various parasomnia subtypes.
- To categorize parasomnias based on sleep stage association.
Summary:
- Parasomnias are classified into disorders of arousal (non-REM), REM sleep parasomnias, and other categories.
- Examples include sleepwalking, night terrors, REM sleep behavior disorder, and sleep-related eating disorder.
- Prevalence varies among subtypes, with many being more common in children.
Impact:
- Provides a structured overview of parasomnia classification.
- Informs clinical practice regarding the necessity of pharmacological interventions, which are typically reserved for severe cases.
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