Nocturnal Sleep Related Eating Disorder – Symptoms and Solutions

People can do strange things when asleep, as comedic portrays of sleepwalking individuals has shown. Sleepwalking has been a known problem with some people for years, but can a person do other activities while asleep? A disorder recognized only in recent years, nocturnal sleep related eating disorder is one example of just how much a person can do when the subconscious mind takes over at night. If you fear that you are suffering from nocturnal sleep related eating disorder, there are some symptoms that you and your family can look for, and treatments that you can seek.

Symptoms
Given that both can involve activity while asleep, nocturnal sleep related eating disorder is related to sleepwalking. However, while in sleepwalking, simple motion is the basis, those suffering from nocturnal sleep related eating disorder tend to head right for food, which generally means going to the kitchen. Sufferers will eat while still asleep or only partially awake, and often cannot remember their episodes of sleep-eating.

Often, the foods are consumed are high in fat and calories or involve strange combination of foods, and seems to be linked to those who are dieting or depressed, causing binges when the subconscious mind is in control. If you suffer from nocturnal sleep related eating disorder, you may wake up with food in the kitchen, with a stomachache from overeating, and may suffer from a loss of appetite in the mornings.

Solutions
Treatment of nocturnal sleep related eating disorder isn't always easy, but tends to start with a trip to a sleep disorder center so you can be studied while asleep. Based on the results of these studies, doctors may provide a course of treatment to stop further episodes of nocturnal sleep related eating disorder. Often this will not include sleeping pills, as a person may continue to have episodes under sedation. In addition, sometimes occurrences of nocturnal sleep related eating disorder are linked to other compulsions, including drug and alcohol addiction, so introducing sedatives that can cause dependency will often worsen the problem.

There seems to be a big link to stress and nocturnal sleep related eating disorder, so your doctor may prescribe classes for reducing stress or anxiety. If you worry that you may be suffering from nocturnal sleep related eating disorder, your best bet to improving the situation for yourself is to avoid intake of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or any other drugs, to review your diet to ensure that it is not being too restrictive during the day, and to arrange for study at a sleep center. With a little research and work, you'll soon be sleeping as you should be.

Next article: Sleep Eating Disorder – Symptoms and Treatments