What is REM sleep behaviour disorder?

REM sleep behaviour disorder is a condition in which a person acts out their dreams. This can involve sudden movements and outbursts of talking or yelling. In some cases, it can lead to injury.

Each night, your body goes through 2 different types of sleep. These are called “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep and “non-REM” sleep. You cycle through each type several times during the night. During REM sleep, your eyes often twitch but your body normally does not move. REM sleep is when most dreaming happens. In people with REM sleep behaviour disorder, the body does not stay still the way it normally does during REM sleep.

REM sleep behaviour disorder is different from sleepwalking, which is when a person walks or talks in their sleep. Sleepwalking is more common in children than adults, and most people grow out of it. People with REM sleep behaviour disorder usually start having symptoms when they are older, often in their 60s or 70s. The disorder starts gradually and gets worse over time. It is often related to other medical conditions.

What are the symptoms of REM sleep behaviour disorder?

The main symptom is acting out your dreams. For example, if you dream that you are in a fight, you might make punching or kicking motions in your bed. Most of these episodes last for less than a minute. You might also talk or yell in your sleep. Very active episodes might wake you up, but you might sleep through milder ones.

People with REM sleep behaviour disorder tend to have the most symptoms during the second half of the night. That’s because your body goes through more REM sleep during that time. The dreams people act out are often scary or unpleasant. Acting out your dreams can cause injury, for example, if you fall out of bed or hit something. It can also be dangerous for your partner if you make rough or violent movements.

What causes REM sleep behaviour disorder?

REM sleep behaviour disorder is caused by changes in the brain. These changes can be related to:

• Parkinson disease, which is a brain disorder that affects movement, learning, and memory
• Dementia with Lewy bodies, another brain disorder that causes memory problems
• Other medical conditions that affect the brain, such as a stroke or tumour
• Narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder that makes you feel sleepy all the time and fall asleep suddenly
• Certain medicines, such as those used to treat depression

In people who do end up having Parkinson disease or another brain disorder, it can take months or years to show other symptoms. If your doctor thinks you are at risk for one of these disorders, he or she will talk to you about what this means. In many cases, there are treatments that can help.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes. If you or your partner notice that you are acting out your dreams, see your doctor or nurse. He or she will ask about your sleep episodes as well as any other symptoms you have.

Will I need tests?

Yes. If your doctor or nurse suspects you have REM sleep behaviour disorder, he or she will send you for a “sleep study.” For this test, you spend the night in a sleep lab at a hospital or doctor’s office. You are hooked up to different machines that monitor your heart rate, breathing, and other body functions. The results of the test can tell your doctor or nurse if you have REM sleep behaviour disorder or another sleep disorder.

How is REM sleep behaviour disorder treated?

If you have frequent, bothersome, or dangerous episodes during sleep, your doctor might suggest medicine. Medicines used to treat REM sleep behaviour disorder include:

• Melatonin : Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally made by a gland in the brain. Taking extra melatonin at bedtime can help your body to stay still during REM sleep. You can buy melatonin pills in a store or pharmacy without a prescription. But it’s important to work with your doctor to figure out the right dose for you. This might involve starting at a low dose and then increasing it slowly until your symptoms improve.
• Clonazepam : Clonazepam is a drug used to treat anxiety. It can help treat REM sleep behavior disorder in some cases. Most doctors prefer to try treatment with melatonin first, since it has fewer side effects than clonazepam.

If your doctor thinks an antidepressant medicine is causing your sleep symptoms, stopping or switching the medicine can fix the problem.

Is there anything I can do on my own?

Yes. There are things you can do help protect yourself and your partner. You can:

• Move any breakable items, such as lamps, away from your bed
• If you have any weapons in your home, like guns, make sure they are stored safely away from where you sleep

If you have frequent violent episodes, it might be safest for you and your partner to sleep separately. If you often fall or jump out of your bed, you might try using a sleeping bag on the floor or a padded bed rail.