Institute for Continuing Education

Dealing with Parasomnias

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Define parasomnias according to current ICSD-3-TR criteria and distinguish them from other sleep disorders using the state dissociation paradigm
• Identify and describe the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of NREM-related, REM-related, and other parasomnias across the lifespan
• Explain the diagnostic criteria and polysomnographic features essential for accurate parasomnia diagnosis, including video-PSG requirements and differential diagnoses
• Apply current evidence-based treatment approaches for parasomnias, including behavioral interventions, pharmacological management, and safety counseling
• Recognize the prognostic significance of REM sleep behavior disorder and its association with neurodegenerative diseases

Course Information

We may not know exactly what parasomnias are, but we do know some things about them. All parasomnias occur out of non-REM sleep. They occur during transitions from one sleep stage to another. They usually occur coming out of stage three or four sleep, what is referred to as deep sleep. The person is basically stuck halfway between being asleep and awake. He is neither fully asleep nor fully awake.

Some children sleepwalk or have a sleep terror every night. For other children, it will wax and wane, with “good” weeks and “bad” ones. Every child is different. Some children may have only one episode in their lifetime.