Sleepwalking

[Guest]

Last night I awoke abruptly and my husband was putting his hands around my neck as if to strangle me. He woke to my screaming and had no recollection of this occurrence. In the morning, he still did not recall this. Could this be sleepwalking? He states he must have been dreaming but had no memory of a dream. He also says I am making a big deal out of this, but I was very afraid. I am unsure if this is an isolated event. I do know that he regularly gets up in the night, but, before this, I assumed he was awake at these times. Do you have a recommended course of action?

[Guest]

This is not usual behavior for sleep walking but can be behavior similar to those patients with rem behavior disorder. An evaluation by a sleep physician is a good idea to help determine what this is and how best to treat it.(prevent it )
[quote] Last night I awoke abruptly and my husband was putting his hands around my neck as if to strangle me. He woke to my screaming and had no recollection of this occurrence... [/quote]

[Guest]

I am experiencing something similar although I never attacked my partner. In my case I seem to be acting out my dreams in a very active way... jumping out of bed triggered by usually some kind of attacking event against me (spider, attackers, etc).
In fact I tried to protect my family while acting the dreams out.
Last time, I ended up seriously hurting myself when jumping from bed and hitting the door with my head causing severe bleeding.

I experience this kind of situations 3 times in my life so far. I am 34 and everything started at 29. It looks like I am too young for this phenomena.

I am otherwise a very healthy person, but Everything points to REM behavior disorder and scares me A LOT.

What should I do?

PLS, HELP>


[quote] This is not usual behavior for sleep walking but can be behavior similar to those patients with rem behavior disorder. An evaluation by a sleep physician is a good idea to help determine what this is and how best to treat it... [/quote]

[Guest]

Although what you describe is most consistant with REM behavior disorder you are definately not in the usual age range for this. Other parasomnias( abnormal events during sleep) however could be present. Certainly anything that disrupts your sleep can bring about sleep walking and abnormal behaviors. Examples of such things include psychological stress(recent loss of job, financial concerns, death in the family, etc), sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, poor sleep habits,and many others. It is important to have this evaluated by a professional to determine the cause and the best course of treatment. While awaiting this evaluation everything should be done to improve the quality of sleep and to promote stress reduction. REgular exercise, no alcohol, caffeine or nicotine, standard wake and sleep times 7 days a week are a good start.
[quote] I am experiencing something similar although I never attacked my partner. In my case I seem to be acting out my dreams in a very active way... [/quote]

[Guest]

The concern the lady is having with her husband does not sound like rem sleep behavioral disorder. Typically, those who have RBD will remember what happens in their dreams. It sounds as though the problem your husband is facing is along the lines of a night terror more than RBD.Of course you should consult a reputable phsycian for proper diagnosis. I myself have lived through many episodes of both night terrors and RBD. When I was younger, around age 11, I experienced night terrors. That progressed into rem sleep behavioral disorder and I am currently 25 years of age. I could tell you some wild stories of my dreams, thats for sure.
[quote] Although what you describe is most consistant with REM behavior disorder you are definately not in the usual age range for this. Other parasomnias( abnormal events during sleep) however could be present... [/quote]

[Guest]

My fiance has similar episodes, although not as violent as yours appear to be. He tends to dream of a man, usually in black, standing by the bed watching over us (in a bad way), or, more recently, standing on his side of the bed trying to see into the top of our wardrobe (which was open at the time). This tends to make him get up and put on whatever clothes are lying around (last time it was a singlet top and his suit pants -- what fashion sense!!). He usually wakes while looking out of a glass door or window, although to the best of our knowledge he has never attempted to actually open them. He is now 32, and he has been doing this from a fairly young age.
[quote] I am experiencing something similar although I never attacked my partner. In my case I seem to be acting out my dreams in a very active way... [/quote]