Do I Have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Have you been told by your bed partner that you are talking, yelling or screaming during sleep?

Have you been told by your bed partner that you have minor movements of the limbs during sleep?

Have you been told by your bed partner that you have pronounced body movements during sleep, such as punching, flailing, kicking, sitting up in bed, or jumping out of bed during sleep?

Do your symptoms start about 90 minutes after you fall asleep?

Do your symptoms occur in the second half of the night?

Do your symptoms get worse over time?

Have you suffered any physical injuries due to unusual behavior during sleep (such as an injury resulting from falling out of bed)?

Do you have body movements during sleep that are potentially violent in nature (you could unknowingly hurt someone)?

Have you ever hurt your bed partner due to unconscious movements you make during sleep?

Did your partner in bed tell you he can’t sleep because of your sudden movements or the voices you make in your sleep?

Do you have a certain type of neurodegenerative disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, stroke or dementia with Lewy bodies?

Do you use antidepressants, drugs and alcohol or you are in the process of quitting them?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have REM sleep behavior disorder. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder is a specific type of sleep disorder characterized by abnormal behaviors during sleep. A person with this condition makes various movements and sounds while experiencing vivid dreams during REM sleep. Normally, during sleep, the body experiences temporary paralysis of most muscles, which allows a person to dream safely and quietly during the night. However, in individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder, muscle paralysis does not occur during sleep, so they live out their dreams by making sudden movements and voices.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have REM sleep behavior disorder. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder is a medical condition characterized by vocalization and sudden movements of the body during REM sleep. People with this disorder often talk, shout, hit with their hands or feet, sit or jump out of bed while dreaming. The exact cause of this disorder is not known, but it is usually associated with various neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. A diagnosis is based on a physical and neurological examination, talking with your sleeping partner and nocturnal sleep study.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have REM sleep behavior disorder. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder is a sleep disorder characterized by episodes of abnormal behavior during REM sleep. People talk or yell, or have minor or more pronounced body movements while experiencing vivid dreams. A person is not aware of these behaviors, and his partner in bed often tells him about his symptoms. Episodes may occur only once or several times during the night, every night, or several times a year. The symptoms usually worsen over time. Treatment includes physical safeguards and medications.