Sexsomnia, a phenomenon where individuals engage in sexual acts while asleep, is becoming increasingly common and has significant impacts on the personal lives of those affected. For instance, one man accidentally forced his wife to have sex with him during her sleep on multiple occasions, while another man masturbated so intensely that he caused physical harm to himself. These instances of sexsomnia often leave individuals feeling embarrassed and can strain their relationships.
Sexsomnia falls under the category of parasomnias, which are various sleep disorders such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, and nightmares. It occurs during the Delta stage of sleep when the body is active but the mind remains asleep. A survey conducted in Norway found that about 7% of people have experienced sexsomnia at some point in their lives.
The consequences of sexsomnia can be severe both emotionally and legally. For example, one woman exhibited symptoms of sexsomnia, including moaning and engaging in sexual acts while asleep, causing distress in her relationship with her husband. The legal implications of sexsomnia can be severe if it involves minors or violence.
The causes of sexomnia are varied, with genetic factors playing a significant role. Sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, can trigger sexsomnia in some individuals. However, treating underlying sleep apnea may help manage both conditions effectively.
Medications may be used to treat sexomnia; however, there are also drug-free approaches such as improving sleep hygiene and reducing stress through behavioral measures.
Overall, understanding the impacts of sexomnia on individuals’ lives is essential to provide effective treatment and support. By educating people about different stages of sleep and promoting good sleep habits while exploring therapeutic techniques like clinical hypnosis, professionals can help manage symptoms effectively and improve the quality of life for those affected by this disorder.