Unusual Behavior or Actions When Sleeping
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Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Abnormal movements while sleeping
Are you unable to recall abnormal behaviors or actions that you did while asleep?
Abnormal sleep behaviors that happen just before waking up in the morning
Banging the head repeatedly into a pillow or mattress when asleep
Moving legs eases the unpleasant feeling of legs temporarily
Hearing a loud noise when falling asleep or waking up
Have dreams almost immediately after falling asleep
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
A sleep behavior disorder is when a person physically acts out dreams, with movements and sounds. This problem is associated with the period of sleep when dreams occur, called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. There are many possible causes of sleep behavior disorder, including certain medications and neurologic diseases
Related serious diseases
- Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) involves rhythmic, repeated body movements while drowsy or asleep. Loud humming or other sounds are sometimes made along with the body motions. It is common in babies and children. The exact cause is unknown, but is seen in children and adults who are not in perfect health. Rare causes include head injury, stress, and infection of the brain.
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have unusual behaviors or actions when sleeping?
Do you talk loudly in your sleep?
Do you bend and straighten your knees often when sleeping?
Do your abnormal sleep behaviors happen together with nightmares?
Do you punch or strike out with your fists while asleep?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan