Sleep is supposed to be boring. You close your eyes, you drift off, you wake up eight hours later.

But for some people, sleep is… eventful.

Maybe your partner told you that you sat up and screamed last night, but you have zero memory of it. Maybe you’ve woken up in the kitchen, eating a snack you didn’t prepare. Or maybe you’ve experienced that terrifying sensation of waking up but being unable to move a single muscle.

If this sounds familiar, you are likely experiencing a parasomnia, defined as an unwanted event that happens while you are sleeping.

The word comes from para (alongside of) and somnus (sleep). It’s a broad umbrella term for behaviors such as walking, talking, eating, or screaming that happen when your brain gets stuck in a “mixed state.”

Think of your consciousness like a dimmer switch (not on/off). Usually, when you sleep, the switch is dimmed all the way down. With a parasomnia, part of your brain wakes up (the part that controls movement or speech) while the rest of your brain (the part that controls memory and judgment) stays fast asleep.

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Types of parasomnias

Neurologists generally categorize parasomnias based on the sleep cycle during which they occur.

1. NREM parasomnias

These typically happen during the deep stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, usually in the first third of the night.

• Confusional arousals: You wake up acting confused, disoriented, or slow to respond.
• Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): Engaging in complex behaviors while asleep, ranging from walking around the room to leaving the house or even driving.
• Sleep terrors (night terrors): Sudden awakening with a scream or cry, accompanied by intense fear and physical signs of panic (racing heart, sweating).
• Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED): Involuntary eating or drinking while asleep, sometimes bizarre combinations of food or even non-edible items.

The brain is partially awake but not fully conscious. So you may not remember the event.

2. REM parasomnias

These happen during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the stage where most vivid dreaming happens, typically later in the night.

• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): The normal paralysis that occurs during REM sleep is absent, causing you to physically act out vivid, often unpleasant dreams (kicking, punching, yelling).
• Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis: An inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It is often accompanied by hallucinations or a sense of a threatening presence.
• Nightmare disorder: Frequent, disturbing dreams that cause you to wake up fully alert and able to recall the details. Unlike sleep terrors, the fear persists after waking.

In this case, you do tend to remember these episodes.

3. Other parasomnias

These do not fit strictly into the NREM or REM categories or can occur during transitions. They may also include Parasomnia due to a medical condition, medication, or substance use.

• Exploding head syndrome: A sensation of a loud noise or explosion in the head while falling asleep or waking up, often accompanied by a flash of light. It is painless but frightening.
• Sleep-related hallucinations: Vivid visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations that occur during the transition between wakefulness and sleep (hypnagogic) or sleep and wakefulness (hypnopompic).
• Sleep enuresis: Involuntary bedwetting during sleep (after the age when bladder control is expected).

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So, is something wrong with me?

From a neurological perspective, these are often just “glitches” in how your brain transitions between sleep stages. They can be triggered by:

• Sleep deprivation: When you are overtired, your brain crashes harder into deep sleep, making transitions clunky.
• Stress & anxiety: High cortisol levels keep your “fight or flight” system humming even when you’re trying to rest.
• Medications: Certain antidepressants or sedatives can mess with sleep architecture.
• Genetics: If your parents were sleepwalkers, there’s a good chance you might be, too.

Many people feel shame around these behaviors. It can be embarrassing to tell a new partner that you might shout in your sleep, or scary to feel like you aren’t in control of your body.

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When should I see a specialist?

Occasional sleep talking or a rare episode of sleepwalking isn’t usually an emergency. However, sleep is a pillar of brain health, and some parasomnias need treatment.

You should consider booking a visit with a sleep specialist if:

1. Safety is at risk: You have left the house, handled sharp objects, or injured yourself or a partner during an episode.
2. Sleep is non-restorative: You get 8 hours, but wake up exhausted because your brain is running a marathon all night.
3. You are acting out dreams (RBD): If you are punching, kicking, or physically fighting in your sleep, this is a specific condition that neurologists want to monitor closely, as it can be linked to other long-term brain health trends.

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Think you might be dealing with a parasomnia? Neura Health sleep specialists can evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and guide your treatment plan. Book a video visit and meet with your specialist from the comfort of your (very safe) bed.

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