SEXSOMNIA

Sexsomnia

Abstract

This is a qualitative study on Sexsomnia. Sexsomnia is a form of parasomnia in which the individual indulges in sexual actions during sleep. This disorder is a relatively novel. Experts debate its existence citing researches. Studies conducted previously showed the number of individuals suffering from sexsomnia is miniscule. Of the total respondents surveyed in a study, a mere 7.6% were found to be suffering from sexsomnia. The percentage of men facing this disorder was three times higher than women. There are medical advancements in such studies but there are still some aspects of this disorder to be addressed. The common causes of Sexsomnia are alcohol, drug abuse and arousal system imbalance. Men suffer more from this disorder more than women. This is also evident from the number of cases that have come up have men involved more than women.

Sexsomnia

Introduction

Sexsomnia is a psychological form of parasomnia. The concept of sexsomnia is fairly new and is still under debate (Edelman, 2011). In order to find out details and test the existing information on this disorder, the following hypotheses have been developed;

Hypothesis

H1: Consumption of alcohol and drug usage causes Sexsomnia.

H2: Chemical imbalance in the brain's arousal system can cause Sexsomnia.

Methodology

This is a qualitative study on the causes and effects of Sexsomnia. For the purpose of this study, secondary data form past researches would be used for analysis. The study also seeks to gain insight in to the percentage of individuals suffering from this disorder.

Discussion

Sleep disorders are a reality and are prevalent in our society. The most common of these disorders is Insomnia in which an individual encounters lack of sleep due to obscure and hidden reasons. Though are many other forms of sleep-related disorders, one other form that is coming to light is sexsomnia. Sexsomnia is also known as “sleep sex”. A person suffering from this order indulges in sexual activities during sleep.. The intriguing aspect of this disorder is that the person has no knowledge of what he does during sleep. A vast majority of victims are unaware of their condition and only come to know of it through their partners. Patients of sexsomnia may be a cause of worry of their partners or wives and dangerous to have around children. The person may seem awake to others but the individual does not have the faintest idea what he was up to while asleep.

Though this disorder may be unusual but it is present and prevalent in the US. Previously, this sexsomnia was unheard of and any such activities were either ignored or kept a secret. As scientists came to know of sexsomnia, researches were conducted to learn more of this extraordinary behavior. According to a research conducted in 2010 at sleep disorder facility, a percentage of 7.6 patients suffered from sexsomnia. The study found that men were more likely to initiate sex during sleep than women. The probability of men suffering from this disorder is three times higher than that of ...