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What are common examples of NREM parasomnias?

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NREM parasomnias are disruptive sleep-related disorders that occur during the non-REM phase of the sleep cycle. Because these events typically happen while the higher-functioning cognitive areas of the brain are asleep, individuals often have no memory of the occurrences.1

Common examples of NREM parasomnias include:

Arousal disorders: These involve behaviors such as mumbling, talking, sitting up, or crying while asleep.1
Sleep terrors: Also known as night terrors, these are characterized by partial awakening, vocalizations, and autonomic symptoms like rapid heart rate and sweating.12
Sleepwalking: Also referred to as somnambulism, this involves moving or walking around while asleep.13

These episodes are often associated with EEG patterns that reflect a mix of sleep and wakeful states, leaving the affected person generally unresponsive to external stimuli even if their eyes are open. Triggers for these parasomnias can include stress, sleep deprivation, fragmented sleep, fever, alcohol consumption, or certain medications, and some individuals may have a genetic predisposition.1