Medical disorders presenting with parasomnias

Medical causes of parasomnia are few and far between, but occasional reports are available in the literature. Mechanism is unclear given the rarity of these events, but a combination of arousal and sleep seems to be a gateway to the generation of parasomnia behavior. The specific pairing of medical conditions and their parasomnia counterparts lends some insight to the role of sleep as a window to overall health. The medical conditions discussed in this chapter include: gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, infection, autonomic dysfunction, and hormonal disorders. The relationship of these disorders with parasomnias is likely bidirectional in nature. The role of stress associated with hospitalization and chronic illness is also discussed. Finally, parasomnias associated with the use of medications including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and sedative hypnotic medications are discussed. The parasomnias included in this discussion include sleepwalking, sleep driving, and other complex behaviors.