Ever Heard Of Sexsomnia? 10 Things To Know About Rare Condition

A lot of you might have already heard about sleep disorders like insomnia which affects a large ratio of people in this generation due to unhealthy lifestyles, but have you ever heard of a term called sexsomnia? Sounds weird right? But let me tell you that it is an actual sleep disorder.

Sexsomnia is a rare sleep disorder in which the person experiencing it engages in different sorts of sexual activity while sleeping, falling asleep or waking up, this includes acts like sexual movements, masturbation, initiating sex with another person, sexual aggression or fondling. Below are listed the 10 things that one must know about this rare sleep disorder sexsomnia.

Unlike sleepwalking, sexsomnia is controversial as it may involve an unwilling participant or witness and constitutes sexual assault. There have been several cases of sexsomnia coming up as a defence in cases of sex crimes.

Here is all you need to know about sexsomnia.

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What Is Sexsomnia? 10 Things To Know

1. Sexsomnia is also referred to as sleep sex, which is a kind of rare sleep disorder and is considered a particular form of parasomnia. Which refer to unusual sensations and behaviours, such as sleepwalking, talking in sleep and sleep paralysis etc.
2. The person having sexsomnia can have their eyes open wide or closed and they may make sexual noises as well but in most cases, they are completely asleep during these acts and are unaware of their behaviour and activities once they wake up. Therefore the person might not get aware of it until someone else notices it.
3. Although scientists are still debating about the number of people suffering from this condition It’s thought to account for around 7 percent of referrals to sleep disorders clinics around the globe. Although the actual number is probably higher most of the people suffering through it may be too embarrassed to seek help and others may not even realise that they have it.
4. Although sexsomnia can happen alongside other sleep disorders it can be triggered by previous sleep deprivation, poor sleep hygiene, use of sleeping tablets, excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs, depression, stress and anxiety.
5. This condition can have a deep impact on both the person who suffers from the condition and their partners. Because people with this condition tend to have no recollection of the activities they did, it can be confusing as well as scary to learn that they have been carrying out such behaviours unconsciously.
6. To diagnose this condition your medical professional can recommend a video-polysomnography or recorded sleep study, just in order to understand your underlying sleep-related causes and condition properly.
7. People with sexsomnia may be prescribed benzodiazepine. But mostly its treatment is based on the underlying cause like if it's associated with other sleep disorders mostly it's relieved by the use of a mandibular advancement device or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
8. In most cases, lifestyle changes can help to get relief from the triggers that can cause sexsomnia, the one who suffers through it might also be suggested ways to keep themselves safe from performing any activities that can cause them to harm unconsciously.
9. Sexsomnia can cause stress, and distressing complications around consent as it may cause someone to be aggressive in a sexual way or even initiate sex unknowingly with a person they might never want to indulge in sexual activities with.
10. One must take some crucial precautions before and while seeking treatment for sexsomnia as it may not be immediately effective. One must lock bedroom doors, set movement alarms, sleep in a separate room or avoid all known or possible triggers of the condition.