Parasomnia

The term Parasomnia is used to describe a wide range of disruptive sleep related events. These behaviors or experiences generally occur during sleep, and in most cases are mild.

Parasomnias are sometimes referred to as arousal disorders. At times they may occur often enough or become bothersome that medical attention is indicated.

Parasomnias occur when a person is in a mixed state, both asleep and awake and often emerging from the deepest stage of non-dreaming sleep.

The sleeper is awake enough to act out complex behaviors, but is still asleep and not aware of or able to remember these behaviors.

Parasomnias are very common in young children and do not usually indicate psychological or psychiatric problems.

Such disorders tend to run in families and can be more noticeable when a child is overly tired or has a fever.