REM Behavior Disorder - Summary

Summary

Violent behaviors during episodes of REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) may result in potential medico legal problems.

Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder or RBD was first described in 1986 as a parasomnia, where there is dissociation of the characteristic stages of sleep. The major abnormal feature of RBD is loss of muscle paralysis , which is seen during REM sleep. This loss of motor inhibition leads to a wide spectrum of behavioral disorders during sleep. Movements could involve harmless twitching of limbs or may show up as violent movements of patients demonstrating their dreams.

RBD is a treatable condition. Treatment is necessary to avert medico legal hassles. Patient's worst fears take shape in the form of dreams, so the manner of response may be violent. Horror stories abound, where patients have ended up strangulating their bed partners, reacting to a potential threat, during sleep. This has led to severe injuries and medico legal hassles.

References:

1. Sleep Stages Explained: How Your Brain Works At Night - (http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/rem/)
2. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - (http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic524.htm)
3. About REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/rem_sleep_behavior_disorder/article_em.htm)

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