REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Symptoms

REM sleep behavior disorder is characterized by physically acting out dreams. Sometimes, the dreams are pleasant, but more commonly they are nightmarish or violent and involve being chased or attacked. The dreamer's attempts at self-defense may result in screaming, yelling, hitting, grabbing, punching, kicking, jumping out of bed or other actions.

Episodes of REM sleep behavior disorder usually do NOT include walking, eating, drinking, sexual activity or going to the bathroom.

If awakened from a dream, the dreamer can usually recall the dream's content, which matches the acted-out behavior. (Unless awakened, however, dreamers typically are unaware they had an episode.)

REM sleep occurs more towards morning, so episodes of REM sleep behavior disorder frequently, but not always, occur later in the night.

The frequency of episodes varies. Most people with REM sleep behavior disorder have episodes about once a week. Others may have several episodes per night, several nights a week.

Episodes may be aggressive and can result in the dreamer or a bed partner being seriously injured.

People with REM sleep behavior disorder are no more violent when awake than an average person. REM sleep behavior disorder is not a psychiatric disorder.

Other sleep disorders that often coexist with REM sleep behavior disorder include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Periodic leg movements of sleep
• Narcolepsy