Parasomnias
Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment
Summary
This chapter will review the common parasomnias, discuss clinician evaluation of parasomnias, and examine different treatment modalities. Both NREM and REM parasomnias will be listed and discussed; specific indicators for making the correct diagnosis will be reviewed. In patients with parasomnias, physicians need to consider alternative diagnoses, including both other sleep and non-sleep disorders, and fully evaluate patients so as to avoid incorrect management. Parasomnia treatments are often conservative, though specific cases may require pharmacological management.