Almost all of us have talked in a dream at some point. There are also people who rise sleepwalkersas if they were awake, and some even perform sexual practices. The latter is what is known as sexsomnia and it has generated more than one uncomfortable moment for those who experience it.
Initially it was thought that sexsomnia was a practice that was part of sleepwalking. However, over time it has been seen that it has its own characteristics. Thus, it has been classified as a parasomnia in the latest update of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).
It is known to occur in the first half of the night, during the non-REM sleep phasewhen the brain is asleep, but there is still muscle activity. Another important fact is that sexual activities, which can range from masturbation until full relations or moans and rubs with people and objects, they occur without awareness or intention. Also, it is not associated with erotic reveries. That is, it is not that people are having an erotic dream and externalize it. It’s not a wet dream.
From the first case of sexsomnia to the present
The first known case of sexsomnia registered in 1986, in Singaporer. It’s about a 34 year old man what had happened in the last three years masturbating regularly through the night, not remembering anything the next morning.
He went to a medical specialist pushed by his wife, since she was the one he most the situation was affecting him. Her husband masturbated to his sleep even though they had sex regularly, so his self-esteem was affected.
Since sexsomnia was not known at that time, it was thought that it could be a case of sleepwalking pushed by stress. At the time it all started, the patient was having problems at work and had started suffering from hearing problems. Also, his wife was recovering from a yeast infection, so she hadn’t had sex for a few days. Even so, when his personal situation improved, although the frequency of masturbation decreased, he continued to do so. two or three times a week.
Since then, quite a few cases have been registered, to the point that in 2007 it began to be treated as a independent entity of sleepwalking. But what do we know today about sexsomnia?
Risk factors are known, but there is much more to know
Sexsomnia can occur in anyone. However, they have been documented more cases in men than in women.
Also, there seems to be some risk factor’s. For example, as seen in the first documented case, stress can make episodes of sexsomnia worse. Having drunk alcohol or used drugs It is also considered a risk factor.
As for other diseases or conditions to which it may be accompanied, although it can occur in a totally isolated way, it is true that there have been cases of people with sexsomnia accompanied by narcolepsy, bruxism, or involuntary movements of the legs, among other sleep conditions.
Regarding age, although most cases have been documented in middle-aged men, there are also records in much younger and older people. For example, in 2019 the case of a 16-year-old adolescent in Minnesota was reported. The boy also suffered anxiety, which, as in the case of the first patient, made the situation worse. There have also been cases in older people.
What about women?
In general, sexsomnia is highly understudied. In the scientific literature there are documented just over 100 cases, of which the majority are men. Although it is not exclusive to this genre. There have also been cases in women, such as a Brazilian 42 years, whose story was recorded in 2021.
It is not known exactly what is the explanation of this gender gap. Although it is possible that simply for women it is a much more taboo subject and they do not seek professional help.
The consequences of sexsomnia
In general, sexsomnia is not dangerous. yes they can happen self esteem problems, both their own and that of their partner, as happened to the wife of the first patient. Some injuries can also result from not controlling activity in the same way that it would be done outside of sleep. But, in reality, the worst consequences They are usually legal.
And it is that, although there are very few documented cases of sexual assaults in which sexsomnia was alleged, It is something that is already beginning to be studied in forensic sciences. It is very important that the experts are trained to differentiate a conscious sexual assault from a case of sexsomnia. But it is also important that people who suffer from it take precautions such as not sleeping with people with whom they have little confidence and, above all, avoiding sleeping near minors.
And what about the treatment?
There is no definitive treatment for sexsomnia, although it has been seen that, in some cases, psychotropic drugs can give good results. Above all, there has been a decrease in cases with antidepressants such as paroxetine. It is also effective psychological therapyespecially cognitive behavioral. But each case is unique and what works for some people may not work for others. Furthermore, there are no clinical trials to consider any of these options as widespread treatment.
On the other hand, given that in some cases the trigger is anxiety or conditions such as bruxism or apneathe treatment of all this should also improve sexsomnia.
In any case, the psychological therapy, both for those affected and for their partners, can be essential. It is possible that the episodes of sexsomnia are not reduced, but they may learn to experience them with less shame and even to look for a positive part of it. Understanding what is happening is essential and, there, the help of a professional is key.