Some individuals experience muscle weakness in response to strong emotion, such as anger or laughter. Other signs include feeling paralyzed just before falling asleep or upon awakening, or vivid or disturbing dreams that occur during these times. A similar disorder, periodic limb movement disorder, is characterized by repetitive leg jerks during sleep. Both disorders can cause insomnia or daytime sleepiness. The cause may be temporary stress or chronic depression or anxiety.
Individuals can worry excessively about their inability to sleep and become tense at bedtime.
Insomnia may be a symptom of another sleep disorder related to a shift in the sleep-wake cycle or medication use. Individuals may develop a tolerance to these drugs, often taking excessive doses and it may become difficult to stop taking sleeping pills. Children may also suffer from disordered breathing during sleep. Pediatric services are available through ABMC's Sleep Disorders Center. Arriving at the Sleep Disorders Center Once referred to ABMC's Sleep Disorders Center, information from you and your physician will be gathered regarding your sleep problems.