Archived Questions
Question of the Week - September 10, 2001
"My husband of 75 years has been falling out of bed, and has terrible banging and pounding on the floor. I can't sleep with him because he starts to beat me and carry on wildly in these attacks. My children during a recent visit had to subdue him, and had a difficult time, as he gets very strong until he is awakened."
Answer to the Question of the Week
Dear Dorothy,
It sounds likely your husband is suffering from a sleep disorder called REM Behavior Disorder (RBD). Normally, when a person is in the REM sleep stage, where most dreaming takes place, muscles in the body become paralyzed. In REM Behavior Disorder, this protective mechanism fails, and the body acts out one's dream. The dreams are often violent or frightening, and injuries to the dreamer and the dreamer's spouse are common.
Effective and safe treatment is available; I urge your husband to see a sleep specialist for this treatable condition.
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