Parasomnias: An update

Parasomnias comprise a category of sleep disorders that includes behavioral and emotional disturbances occurring during any stage of sleep or during states of mixed sleep and wakefulness. These disorders can range from having vocalizations and minor movements to very complex and aggressive behaviors that result in serious injury and disruption of sleep for the patients and the bed partners. Parasomnias need careful clinical history-taking often followed by a sleep lab study to rule out other sleep disorders. Parasomnias can frequently be mistaken as nocturnal manifestations of psychiatric disorders, which makes it very important for psychiatrists to have a proper understanding of these sleep disorders.