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Sexsomnia is a sleep disorder where a person exhibits sexual behavior while sleeping, including masturbation and intercourse. It is a type of parasomnia, which includes sleepwalking and eating. Sufferers can be at risk for criminal charges and sexually transmitted diseases. Treatment includes benzodiazepines and counseling.
Sexsomnia is a relatively new sleep disorder, first described in the mid-1990s, in which a person exhibits sexual behavior while sleeping. This can include anything from masturbation to intercourse. These actions usually occur during the same sleep cycle as other types of parasomnia. Sufferers of this disorder can be at risk for several problems, including criminal charges and sexually transmitted diseases.
A parasomnia is a type of sleep disorder in which an individual moves, talks, or performs other actions while sleeping. Sleep walking, talking, and eating are all considered parasomnias. Sexsomnia is a parasomnia in which the sufferer performs sexual acts while sleeping.
While it has most likely been around for decades, or even centuries, most people weren’t aware of this sleep disorder until the late 20th century. Three Canadian researchers were the first to describe this disorder. In 20, they released a paper documenting their findings.
The sexual acts that can occur can vary. Some individuals with mild sexsomnia, for example, may only make sexual sounds or masturbate while sleeping. These actions are typically more common among women. If a sufferer sleeps next to a partner, however, this person may try to caress the partner or even try to initiate intercourse.
Most episodes of sexsomnia occur when a person comes out of a deep sleep. This is sometimes referred to as non-REM sleep. At this particular point in the sleep cycle, some low-level brain functions are active; these are responsible for things like walking and sexual arousal. Higher-level brain functions responsible for things like judgment and memory are still dormant.
Because these brain functions aren’t active at the time, people going through an episode of sexsomnia won’t remember when they wake up. Some individuals may not even suspect they have parasomnia until it is pointed out to them. Sexsomnia is usually more common in people who have a history of other types of parasomnias, such as sleepwalking or sleep eating.
The risk of criminal charges is always a possibility for sufferers of this sleep disorder. If a man tries to have sex with a stranger while he sleeps, for example, he could be accused of sexual assault. Some people may even have unprotected sex while they sleep, causing a dangerous sexually transmitted disease.
Treatment of sexsomnia is possible and is usually very effective. Benzodiazepines, or tranquilizers, are usually given to sufferers of this disorder. Counseling and behavior therapy may also be needed.
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