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Nightmares and restless sleep behavior have more in common than previously thought
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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The mystery of dreams has always occupied researchers, with dreams that are accompanied by nightmares and restless behavior being of particular interest for study.
Scientists at Loyola University Medical Center say sleep disorders that trigger physical reactions in people - screaming, falling out of bed, unconscious arm and leg movements - may have more in common than previously thought.
Disturbances in behavior during the REM stage of sleep are called parasomnias, a condition in which sleep is accompanied by uncontrollable reactions.
The diagnosis of "parasomnia" is made when a person begins to participate in their dreams in reality, that is, begins to actively act on the plot of the dream in reality. Such disorders can be aggressive in nature.
"I don't think we have any hard data on how common this is," says Dr. Nabila Nasir. "Often patients don't talk about it and doctors don't ask."
The researchers would like to raise awareness of these conditions, as they can often be treated with medication. Even if medication does not help, patients have the opportunity to receive information on how to protect themselves and their partners from injury.
Parasomnias may occur during awakenings from rapid eye movement sleep or partial awakenings during non-rapid eye movement sleep.
A person physically participates in his dreams, where scenes with active movements are played out - running, fighting, hunting, repelling an attack. "Often the essence of these dreams comes down to persecution. About a quarter of respondents named their worst dream as persecution and escape by flight," say experts.
Typically, patients diagnosed with parasomnia are most common among men aged 60 years and older.
Many patients struggle with sleep-related behavioral disorders using new-generation benzodiazepine drugs.
This is a class of psychoactive substances with sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects. The drugs are used to relieve and treat symptoms of mental anxiety, agitation and insomnia. Side effects of the drug include daytime drowsiness, which can pose a threat to drivers of vehicles who are undergoing therapy with these drugs.
Experts also recommend making your sleep as safe as possible. For example, sleeping on a mattress on the floor and moving furniture to a safe distance.
"Behavioural disturbances are not always caused by parasomnias. In some people, these disturbances occur under the influence of alcohol or antidepressants," says Dr Nasir.
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