Chapter 32 - Behavioral and psychiatric treatment of parasomnias

Summary

This chapter presents a review of the behavioral and pharmacological treatments commonly recommended for parasomnias. With newer forms of psychotherapy, including various treatment approaches underneath the umbrella term cognitive behavior therapy, as well as various treatment options from hypnotherapy to scheduled awakenings. Disorders of arousal generally encompass the following diagnoses: sleepwalking, night terrors, confusional arousals, sleepsex disorders and sleep-related eating disorders. Hypnosis has been reported to be helpful in nightmare treatment. Under hypnosis, the patient gain mastery over the nightmare by changing a part of the dream or creating a less frightening ending. The most effective behavioral treatments have been developed for arousal disorders, nightmares, PTSD, and panic disorder. Each treatment plan for a patient with parasomnias is individualized to his or her specific treatment goals, and the provider make sure the patient is educated about his or her disorder and the risks/benefits of the treatments being recommended.