Understanding REM Sleep Disorder

Sleeping has two distinct states, which consist of either rapid eye movement sleep or non rapid eye movement sleep. The NREM consists of the initial stages that lead to the most restful and rejuvenate REM sleep stages. Normally, during REM sleep people experience what is similar to a muscular paralysis although the brain remains highly active.

When a person suffering from a REM sleep problem , they do not experience this temporary lapse of movement and often act out during dreams, which can cause injury. This causes this stage of sleep to be disrupted, incomplete, leaving the person feeling exhausted, and as though they haven’t slept at all.

Is Your Sleep Disorder an REM Sleep Disorder?

Most often, REM sleep disorders are a result of age or a degenerative neurological disease. Other experiences this disorder for unknown and varied reasons such as stress, anxiety, withdrawal or depression. Regardless, it is frustrating not only for the person experiencing it, but for others as well. Many people sleep walk, yell, scream, flail their arms or legs and act out of control or hysterical. The problem is because they are in the midst of REM sleep they are unaware and often difficult to bring to consciousness. If you or a child in your home suffers from this disorder, it is best to see a physician in order to get things under control.