REM Behavior Disorder

REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder where the normal muscle paralysis that occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is incomplete or absent. This causes individuals to physically act out their vivid dreams, sometimes resulting in sudden movements, talking, or even injury to themselves or bed partners. RBD is often linked with neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease and typically affects older adults. It’s diagnosed through sleep studies and can be managed with medications and safety measures to prevent injury. Prompt recognition and treatment help improve quality of life and safety.