Somnambulism vs Sleep-related Eating Disorder (Sleep Disorder Telehealth Tips)

Discover the surprising differences between somnambulism and sleep-related eating disorder with these sleep disorder telehealth tips.

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Differentiate between somnambulism and sleep-related eating disorder (SRED).	Somnambulism is a parasomnia disorder characterized by abnormal sleep behavior, such as nighttime wandering episodes, while SRED is a sleep-related disorder that involves eating while asleep or unconscious food consumption.	Risk factors for somnambulism include genetics, sleep deprivation, and certain medications, while risk factors for SRED include stress, anxiety, and certain medications.
2	Understand the altered consciousness state in both disorders.	Both somnambulism and SRED involve an altered consciousness state, where the individual is not fully aware of their actions.	Risk factors for both disorders include alcohol consumption and certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea.
3	Consider telehealth treatment options for both disorders.	Telehealth can be an effective treatment option for both somnambulism and SRED, as it allows for remote monitoring and therapy sessions.	Risk factors for telehealth treatment include lack of access to technology or reliable internet, as well as privacy concerns.
4	Address underlying causes of the disorders.	It is important to address any underlying causes of somnambulism or SRED, such as stress or medication side effects, in order to effectively treat the disorders.	Risk factors for untreated somnambulism or SRED include injury or harm to oneself or others, as well as disruption of daily life and relationships.
5	Encourage healthy sleep habits.	Encouraging healthy sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bed, can help reduce the risk of both somnambulism and SRED.	Risk factors for poor sleep habits include stress, anxiety, and certain medical conditions, such as insomnia.

Contents

What is Parasomnia Disorder and How Does it Relate to Sleep-Related Eating Disorder?
Abnormal Sleep Behavior: Identifying the Signs of Somnambulism and Sleep-Related Eating Disorder
Nighttime Wandering Episodes vs Eating While Asleep: What’s the Difference?
Telehealth Treatment for Somnambulism and Sleep-Related Disorders
Common Mistakes And Misconceptions
Related Resources

What is Parasomnia Disorder and How Does it Relate to Sleep-Related Eating Disorder?

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Define Parasomnia Disorder	Parasomnia Disorder is a group of abnormal sleep behaviors that occur during NREM or REM sleep.	Genetics, stress, sleep deprivation, and substance abuse can increase the risk of developing Parasomnia Disorder.
2	Identify types of Parasomnia Disorder	Parasomnia Disorder includes sleepwalking, confusional arousal disorder, nocturnal seizures, REM Behavior Disorder (RBD), sleep-related hallucinations, and nightmare disorder.	Certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, can trigger Parasomnia Disorder.
3	Explain the relationship between Parasomnia Disorder and Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)	SRED is a type of Parasomnia Disorder that involves eating during sleep. It occurs during NREM sleep and is often associated with sleepwalking.	SRED can be triggered by stress, anxiety, and certain medications. It is more common in women and individuals with a history of eating disorders.
4	Discuss treatment options for Parasomnia Disorder and SRED	Treatment options for Parasomnia Disorder include improving sleep hygiene practices, avoiding triggers, and medication. For SRED, treatment may involve addressing underlying psychological issues and implementing behavioral therapy.	Treatment may not be necessary for mild cases of Parasomnia Disorder, but severe cases can lead to injury and should be addressed by a healthcare professional. It is important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.

Abnormal Sleep Behavior: Identifying the Signs of Somnambulism and Sleep-Related Eating Disorder

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Understand what parasomnia is.	Parasomnia is a disruptive sleep disorder that involves abnormal sleep behavior.	Family history of parasomnia, stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation.
2	Identify the signs of somnambulism.	Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, involves altered consciousness during sleep and involuntary movements at night.	Age, genetics, and certain medications.
3	Identify the signs of sleep-related eating disorder (SRED).	SRED involves eating while asleep or having no memory of eating during the night.	Obesity, depression, and certain medications.
4	Understand the difference between NREM parasomnias and REM parasomnias.	NREM parasomnias, such as somnambulism and SRED, occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep. REM parasomnias, such as nightmares and REM sleep behavior disorder, occur during rapid eye movement sleep.	Age, gender, and certain medical conditions.
5	Practice good sleep hygiene.	Good sleep hygiene tips include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and creating a relaxing sleep environment.	Stress, anxiety, and poor sleep habits.
6	Consider treatment options for somnambulism and SRED.	Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and addressing underlying medical conditions.	Severity of symptoms, underlying medical conditions, and individual preferences.

Overall, it is important to identify the signs of abnormal sleep behavior, such as somnambulism and SRED, in order to properly manage and treat these sleep-related disorders. Practicing good sleep hygiene and seeking professional treatment can greatly improve the quality of sleep and overall well-being.

Nighttime Wandering Episodes vs Eating While Asleep: What’s the Difference?

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Identify the behavior	Nighttime wandering episodes involve getting out of bed and walking around while still asleep, while sleep-related eating disorder involves eating while asleep.	Both behaviors can be caused by parasomnias, which are abnormal sleep behaviors.
2	Determine the level of consciousness	Nighttime wandering episodes occur during an incomplete awakening state, while sleep-related eating disorder occurs during altered states of consciousness.	Both behaviors can be triggered by sleep deprivation symptoms.
3	Assess the level of awareness	Nighttime wandering episodes are often associated with confusional arousals, while sleep-related eating disorder is characterized by automatic behavior and unconscious actions.	Disordered eating patterns and nighttime food cravings can increase the risk of sleep-related eating disorder.
4	Evaluate the potential risks	Nighttime wandering episodes can lead to ambulatory activity during sleep, which can result in injury or harm to oneself or others. Sleep-related eating disorder can lead to consuming harmful or inappropriate foods, choking, or weight gain.	Both behaviors can be treated with telehealth services and medication, but it is important to address any underlying medical or psychological conditions.

Telehealth Treatment for Somnambulism and Sleep-Related Disorders

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Schedule a virtual consultation with a healthcare provider who specializes in sleep-related disorders.	Telehealth technology allows patients to receive medical care from the comfort of their own homes.	Technical difficulties may arise during the virtual consultation, which could disrupt the flow of the appointment.
2	Discuss your symptoms with the healthcare provider and provide any relevant medical history.	Sleep-related disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, medication, and underlying medical conditions.	Patients may not be aware of all the factors that could be contributing to their sleep-related disorder.
3	Participate in a remote diagnosis, which may include a sleep study or other tests.	Remote diagnosis can be just as effective as in-person diagnosis for sleep-related disorders.	Patients may feel uncomfortable participating in a sleep study outside of a medical facility.
4	Attend online therapy sessions to address the underlying causes of the sleep-related disorder.	Online therapy sessions can be just as effective as in-person therapy sessions for addressing the underlying causes of sleep-related disorders.	Patients may not feel comfortable discussing personal issues with a therapist they have never met in person.
5	Consider digital health services, such as virtual care options and digital therapeutics, to supplement traditional treatment methods.	Digital health services can provide patients with additional resources to manage their sleep-related disorder.	Patients may not be familiar with digital health services and may be hesitant to try them.
6	Participate in video conferencing appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.	Video conferencing appointments can be just as effective as in-person appointments for monitoring progress and adjusting treatment plans.	Technical difficulties may arise during the video conferencing appointment, which could disrupt the flow of the appointment.

Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

Mistake/Misconception	Correct Viewpoint
Somnambulism and Sleep-related Eating Disorder are the same thing.	Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, is a disorder characterized by walking or performing other activities while asleep. Sleep-related Eating Disorder (SRED) is a condition where individuals eat during their sleep without being aware of it. These two disorders are different from each other in terms of symptoms and treatment options.
Both disorders can be treated with medication alone.	While medication may help manage some symptoms associated with these disorders, it is not always the best solution for everyone. Treatment plans should be tailored to individual needs and may include therapy, lifestyle changes, and/or medication depending on the severity of the disorder and its underlying causes.
These disorders only affect adults.	Both somnambulism and SRED can occur in children as well as adults but they are more common among adults than children. It’s important to note that these conditions can have serious consequences if left untreated regardless of age group affected by them.
There is no cure for either disorder.	While there may not be a definitive cure for these conditions yet, effective treatments exist that can help manage symptoms effectively over time so people suffering from them can lead normal lives again.
People who experience somnambulism or SRED will remember what they did during their episodes when they wake up.	This isn’t necessarily true since both conditions involve altered states of consciousness which means people experiencing them might not remember anything about what happened during an episode once they wake up unless someone else tells them about it later on.

Related Resources

A case of somnambulism?

[Nocturnus terrors–somnambulism].

Homicidal somnambulism.

Treatments for somnambulism in adults: assessing the evidence.

Bupropion-induced somnambulism.