Sex and sleep problems link

Pity the office lech who looks thoroughly burned out but still cannot keep his hands to himself.

He may be suffering from "sexsomnia", according to the latest research from psychiatrists. The term describes a condition in which abnormal sexual behaviour is associated with sleep disorders.

People who suffer severe, chronic insomnia may also exhibit a surge in sex drive, genital arousal, and "compulsive sexual behaviours", say researchers.

Often the effects of "sexsomnia" emerge at night and coincide with sleep disturbances. Sleepwalking and "confusional arousal" - when a person performs unconscious complex actions while still asleep - may be accompanied by sexual vocalisations, fondling, sexual aggression and even sexual intercourse.

In some cases, "sexsomnia" behaviour can be upsetting or frightening for the sleeper's partner.

Dr Carlos Schenck, senior psychiatrist at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Centre in Minneapolis, who led a review of documented cases of the phenomenon, said: "It seems that more and more reports are surfacing of abnormal sexual behaviours emerging during sleep.

"While people may think this type of behaviour is humorous, in reality it can be disturbing, annoying, embarrassing and a potentially serious problem for some individuals and couples.

"Despite their awareness of the condition, many sufferers often delay seeking help, either because they don't know that it's a medical disorder, or for fear that others will instead judge it as wilful behaviour."

Dr Schenck and fellow researchers conducted computerised literature searches of journal articles and scoured text books and other sources for information on sexual behaviours associated with sleep disorders.

A list of "sexsomnia" sleep problems compiled by the team appears in the June issue of the journal Sleep.

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?