Sexsomnia
What is sexsomnia? The truth is I just heard about sexsomnia in about a few minute before I publish this post. Here is I quote from the wikipedia,
“Sleep sex or sexsomnia is a form of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnia (similar to sleepwalking) that causes people to commit sexual acts while they are asleep. The first doctor to coin the term “Sleep sex” was Dr. David Saul Rosenfeld, a neurologist and sleep doctor from Los Angeles, California. The proposed medical diagnosis is NREM Arousal Parasomnia - Sexual Behaviour in Sleep, and is considered to be a distinct variant of sleepwalking/confusional arousals (ICSD 2). The condition was defined by three researchers from the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa in a paper called “Sexsomnia — A New Parasomnia?” published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry in June 2003. Sufferers are often aware of their behavior for a long time before they seek help, often because they are not aware that it is a medical disorder or for fear that others will judge it as willful behavior rather than a medical disorder. However, the reality of the condition has been confirmed by sleep disorder researchers who have made sound and video recordings of patients with the condition and observed unusual brain wave activity during the episodes similar to that experienced by other parasomniacs. It is a mind/body disconnect that occurs during sleep. In many cases it is a pre-cursor to neuromuscular disease[citation needed] and is treated with muscle relaxants and other medications. The first research paper that suggested that sexual behavior during sleep may be a new type of parasomnia was published in 1996. Later, several papers were published describing the problem and suggested that problematic forms of sleep sex are medically treatable “conditions” Sexsomnia is not always problematic or extreme for those who experience it or for their partners. There is a great variety in both the frequency and levels to which people are affected by this disorder.”
Is there a clinical diagnosis for sexsomnia (SBS)?
Sexsomnia is not presently included in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Diagnostic and Coding Manual/International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) as a specific sleep disorder. Nor is it in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (a manual used to clinically diagnose psychiatric conditions).
However, the ICSD, the most widely used classification of sleep disorders, does discuss sexual behavior in sleep as a variant of an existing sleep disorder known a “confusional arousals.” It is recognized by leaders in sleep medicine as something that can and does occur in some people.
Many people for whom sexsomnia has become problematic are too embarrassed to seek help because they think no one will believe them. A lot of people have sought the help of physicians, counselors, and psychologists only to have their complaints dismissed. Why? Because many professionals are uninformed about sexsomnia.
And because many professionals are not aware of sexsomnia, they aren’t getting the proper diagnosis or treatment. Let’s not forget the other potential victims here. If you are with someone that suffers from sexsomnia and you sleep in their presence while they have an “episode” you can fall prey to an unwanted sexual encounter or assault.
There was a case in 2005 in Canada, where a man was acquitted of rape, in part because it was determined that the man had sexsomnia and “could not have been aware of his actions”. As you can imagine, some people will view this as just another excuse for men to behave badly and get away with it. The reality is that men are not the only ones that suffer from sexsomnia. As research is continued to be conducted, it’s important to look for signs and listen to those around you and be aware of what’s going on. If you think that you suffer from sexsomniac there are a few resources available to you. First know that you are not alone. There’s even been a book written on the subject. Sleepsex: Uncovered by Dr. Michael Managan. The book puts together all the research to date and even has over 60 first-hand accounts of others that have this disorder. As always, knowledge is power, if you or someone you know thinks there’s a problem…seek help. And if you have a sleep over at a new friends’ …lock the doors.
Oh dear, from now I have to watch my sleep behavior. Honey do I got sexsomniacs?
