Sexsomnia, also known as sleep sex, is a type of sleep disorder known as a
Causes of sexsomnia
depression, stress and anxiety. previous sleep deprivation. poor sleep hygiene. excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Sexsomnia is a specific parasomnic behavior recognized in the DSM-5 and the ICSD-3. DSM-5 lists sexsomnia under the diagnosis “non-rapid eye movement [NREM] sleep arousal disorders” (Ref.
See a Sleep Specialist
If you believe you may have sexsomnia, you should visit a sleep specialist for a diagnosis. Diagnosing sexsomnia usually will require a sleep specialist to ask you questions about your medical and sleep history. Sometimes medication is prescribed for parasomnias, including sexsomnia.
Explained as a rare type of parasomnia, the sexsomnia sleep disorder can result in a variety of behaviors. People with the condition have been known to masturbate, make sexual vocalizations, touch a partner, and even experience spontaneous orgasm – all while sleeping. Some even initiate intercourse with a partner.
Sexsomnia, characterized by sexual behavior during sleep, is within the spectrum of parasomnias occurring predominantly in NREM sleep, as a variant of confusional arousals and sleepwalking, with or without associated obstructive sleep apnea1.
Sexsomnia generally manifests itself in males, with disease onset between 26 and 63 years of age. An internet survey noted that symptom onset may be earlier in patients with a history of sleepwalking and also involve more females than initially suspected.
Like sleepwalking, sexsomnia is a parasomnia, a sleep-related disorder that occurs when you're in between deep, dreamless sleep and wakefulness. Behaviors during an episode may include fondling, masturbation, sexual intercourse, pelvic thrusting and spontaneous orgasm.
Is Sexsomnia Hereditary? Research suggests a strong genetic component to the sleep disorders commonly associated with sexsomnia, including sleepwalking. Most people with sexsomnia also have a history of sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep terrors. The disorders often run in families.
This means people with sexsomnia are at particular risk when drinking alcohol, as it can make sexsomnia more likely to occur and they are not able to take medication to reduce it. Relationship counselling – Because of the nature of sexsomnia it can cause difficulties in relationships.
Like other parasomnias, other causes of sleep fragmentation should be investigated before initiating pharmacotherapy. Nocturnal seizures, medications like SSRIs and pramipexole have been reported to be some of the other causes for sexsomnia. Treatment data is limited but Clonazepam might be helpful in bothersome cases.
After your body has metabolized some of the alcohol it will release excitatory glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter of your nervous system. When it enters the reticular activating system, it disrupts your sleep.
The good news is that sexsomnia is treatable. If there are certain triggers that are causing you to have sleep sex, you might benefit from therapy, counselling or medication. Maintaining good sleep hygiene and keeping a regular sleep schedule can also help.
Like sleepwalking, sexsomnia is a parasomnia, a sleep-related disorder that occurs when you're in between deep, dreamless sleep and wakefulness. Behaviors during an episode may include fondling, masturbation, sexual intercourse, pelvic thrusting and spontaneous orgasm.
Is Sexsomnia Hereditary? Research suggests a strong genetic component to the sleep disorders commonly associated with sexsomnia, including sleepwalking. Most people with sexsomnia also have a history of sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep terrors. The disorders often run in families.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day.
Sexsomnia, characterized by sexual behavior during sleep, is within the spectrum of parasomnias occurring predominantly in NREM sleep, as a variant of confusional arousals and sleepwalking, with or without associated obstructive sleep apnea1.
Approximately 50% of insomnia cases are related to depression, anxiety or psychological stress. Often the qualities of a person's insomnia and their other symptoms can be helpful in determining the role of mental illness in a person's inability to sleep.
This can pose serious, distressing complications around consent, as sexsomnia may cause someone to be sexually aggressive or initiate sex with a person they would otherwise not behave sexually with. Receiving a diagnosis and appropriate treatment is the first step in coping with sexsomnia.