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Confusional arousal

Description

Confusional arousal occurs when an individual is not fully asleep, but not fully awake. Commonly referred to as “sleep drunkenness,” the individual is conscious enough to carry out complex tasks while still asleep, such as answering a ringing telephone. But the person may carry them out incorrectly by picking up and answering the alarm clock instead of the phone. The individual may or may not remember the incident at all.
Research has shown that this condition is both hereditary and universal. Almost all children have this condition when suddenly awakened during a deep stage of sleep, but as they enter later childhood the symptoms occur less frequently and eventually disappear. Although rare in adulthood, it has been found in people who cannot have a regular sleeping schedule (such as shift workers, or people who frequently have jet lag), people whose bodies demand a high level of performance, those on certain types of psychotropic medications, those who abuse drugs or alcohol, or individuals recovering from sleep deprivation.

Diagnosis

A person who has this condition, upon sudden awakening, generally during the first third of the night, will exhibit a general sense of confusion. He or she will have slow motor and cognitive skills, and will probably have memory problems. A general confusion about time and space is common, as well as inappropriate actions for the place and time.

Treatment

Research has shown that this disorder, although very common in early childhood, naturally lessens and usually disappears by late childhood. It is more commonly found in those who sleep-walk and those who have night terrors. There is very little research on confusional arousal research on adults, but it is important for adults with these symptoms to be evaluated because other conditions, like heartburn, sleep apnea, and body movement during sleep, have been known to trigger this condition.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.