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1. Sleep disturbances
in kids-parasomnia

2. Parasomnia is a term that encompasses unusual and
abnormal behaviours before falling asleep while
sleeping and during the phase between sleep and being
wide awake. The behaviours include sleep paralysis,
sleepwalking and night terrors. Experts suggest that
these behaviours occur while transitioning in and out of
sleep, REM and NREM sleep stages.

3. Why does parasomnia occur?
Human sleep has 3 main stages. The transition from one
state to another is not very quick. Various neural centres
have to go through various transitions before one state
completely manifests. A combination of these states causes
instability which then gives rise to abnormal behaviours
resulting in parasomnia.

5. Types of Parasomnia
1.NREM
2.REM
3.OTHERS

6. NREM
These are commonly known as disorders of arousal.
In this type of parasomnia, the person experiences
confusional arousal(the individual sits up from in
between sleep and looks around but does not leave
the bed), sleepwalking, night terrors etc. Many
show certain sexual behaviour during sleep. Some
also suffer from sleep-related eating disorders
which manifest as excessive eating just after
waking up from sleep.

7. REM
Sleep paralysis (brief inability to move while waking
up or falling asleep), nightmare disorder(recurrent,
vivid nightmares leaving a person distressed and
anxious) and REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder(RSBD –
while sleeping, an individual makes an attempt to
act out a dream) are a few characteristics of REM
related parasomnia.

8. OTHERS
This is for those behaviours that are not specific to a particular stage
of sleep. It can occur at any stage be it while falling asleep,
wakefulness, NREM or REM sleep. The behaviours generally exhibited
are, exploding head syndrome (people experience a loud sound or an
explosive sensation in the head when they wake up), sleep-related
hallucinations and bed wetting.
Parasomnia is more common in children than in adults. Sleep
deprivation, restless leg syndrome and other sleep disorders are the
main triggers behind it. Most of the time it occurs occasionally and
there is actually nothing to worry about. But, if it occurs very
frequently, then it is time to consult a physician.

9. Different types of parasomnia in children
1.Nightmares
2.Sleepwalking
3.Sleeptalking
4.Sleep terrors

10. Nightmares
These are very scary dreams that are extremely
vivid. Children find it very difficult to fall asleep
after they wake up from one. These might begin
as early as 18 months of age and mostly are not
very severe. These occur during REM sleep. If at
all there is a psychological reason behind the
nightmares, it is best to go for cognitive therapy
and relaxation training.

11. Sleepwalking
In this, the child might wake up and It
generally occurs in children between the
ages of 5 and 12. It is more common in boys
and fades away by adolescence. It is best to
wake up your child when he is sleepwalking.

12. Sleeptalking
In this case, your child will talk during sleep.
This also affects boys more than girls and
usually goes away by the early teens.

13. Sleep terrors
This is probably the most frightening form of parasomnia.
Children affected by this sweat, scream and sweat during
sleep. It happens during non-REM sleep. When a child
wakes up from sleep terror, he is not able to remember
why he is afraid. However, this is very rare.
Parasomnia generally does not need treatment. It goes
away as your child approaches his teenage. It is best to
manage it during those years as in most of the types of
parasomnias, interventions work the best instead of
treatment. Waking up your child in case of sleepwalking
and talking is the best way out and is not at all harmful for
your child. However, it must be kept in mind that it is
important to address all the forms of parasomnia as if not
addressed, can lead to serious injuries, disrupted sleep and
other health complications in the near future.

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