Sleep Disorder Resources: Odd Sleep Behaviors

Sleep apnea can come in different forms:

• Obstructive sleep apnea: when a child's breathing is partially or completely blocked during sleep
• Central sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoventilation disorders: when breathing repeatedly stop and starts during sleep

Parasomnia comes in different forms depending on what sleep stage someone is in:

• REM-related: The Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep stage is when dreams usually occur.  However, disorders affecting this stage of sleep can result in recurrent nightmares, acting out dreams, and sleep paralysis.
• Non-REM-related: During other sleep stages, parasomnia can manifest as sleepwalking, night terrors, and confusional arousal.
• Other forms:
  • Bedwetting: while common in young children, if a child aged 5 or older wets the bed at least twice per week it is then considered a parasomnia
  • Sleep-related hallucinations: sometimes associated with sleep paralysis, this parasomnia manifestation can occur during any phase of sleep, not just REM.