Complex dream-enacting behavior in sleepwalking.
OBJECTIVE
Currently, dream-enacting behaviors are viewed as occurring typically in association with a REM-sleep behavior disorder. In some cases, dream-like mentation is found also in non-REM parasomnia.


METHODS
We report a case of complex and dramatic sleepwalking behavior in a 26-year-old adult male who tied his 4-month-old daughter to the clothesline in the attic of his house.


RESULTS
The explanation of this seemingly senseless behavior, which was related to psychosocial stressors, was found in a detailed dream-like mentation that was reported by the patient. At the same time, an organic factor, namely, a worsening of the patient's asthma, was identified as the cause of an increased fragmentation of sleep.


CONCLUSIONS
In some cases of non-REM parasomnia, detailed dream-like mentation may act as a bridge between psychosocial stressors and the specific parasomnic behavior.
Pillmann
Frank
F
Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg Julius-Kuehn-Str.7 06097, Halle, Saale, Germany. frank.pillmann@medizin.uni-halle.de
D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D004325:Dreams / Q000523:psychology; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D020187:REM Sleep Behavior Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D013009:Somnambulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000420:Albuterol