Parasomnias are undesirable complex behaviors or experiences that occur during sleep.  Examples seen at the Owensboro Advanced Sleep Center in adults include sleepwalking, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep related eating disorder, sleep paralysis and nocturnal seizures.  These disorders can sometimes result in violent behavior during sleep and injury to the patient or others.  A sleep study (polysomnography) may be performed as part of the evaluation.  Medications and lifestyle modifications may be recommended.  Sometimes the parasomnia is the result of other sleep disorders that may require treatment (such as obstructive sleep apnea) or related to medications. 

For further information, these web sites are recommended

American Academy of Sleep Medicine – http://sleepeducation.org/

National Sleep Foundation – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/