What are parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors)?

Short Answer

Parasomnias are unusual behaviors or experiences during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, talking, or acting out dreams. Many arise from partial arousals out of deep non-REM sleep and often aren’t remembered.

Why This Matters

This matters because parasomnias can look like “waking behavior,” but the brain is partly asleep, which leads to confusion and risky actions without full awareness. Sleep deprivation and stress increase partial arousals, resulting in more episodes. Understanding the mechanism leads to practical safety measures and reduces fear or shame.

Where This Changes

Parasomnias are common in children and often fade, but adult-onset or dangerous episodes deserve evaluation. If someone acts out dreams with punching or shouting, that may be REM sleep behavior disorder, which is different from non-REM sleepwalking/night terrors.