REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) is like your brain giving your body the wrong memo during sleep. Most people experience muscle paralysis in REM sleep (yes, that sounds bad, but it isn’t, OK?), keeping them peacefully inert as their minds frolic through dreamland. But if you have RBD, that muscle paralysis takes the night off, and suddenly, your dreams are getting acted out in real life. Whether you’re punching pillows, karate-kicking the duvet (and the cat) across the room, or performing karaoke mid-slumber, RBD transforms bedtime into an unintentional improv theatre. Your rendition of Celine Dion’s ‘Power of Love’ is as breath-taking as it is transcendent, by the way.
Strap in for a wild ride through the weird and wacky world of RBD. Spoiler: it’s nowhere near as fun as it sounds, but it’s definitely unforgettable (especially for your poor sleeping partner).
what is RBD?
RBD, or REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, is a sleep disorder where your body fails to shut down during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. REM is the sleep stage where dreams are most vivid, and your body is supposed to be paralysed. This nifty feature, called atonia, prevents you from acting out your dreams. Without it? Let’s just say your dreams might involve some real-world collateral damage.
If you’ve ever dreamt of being a secret agent and woken up to find you’ve kicked over your bedside lamp, and your pets are skilfully hogtied in the corner of the room, wearing blindfolds, then congratulations — you’ve likely got the RBD experience.
the main features of RBD
RBD doesn’t mess around. Here’s what makes it unique:
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Physical acting out of dreams: Your body decides to join the dream party. Punches, kicks, and even attempts to get out of bed are fair game. And those are just the common ones. Yikes.
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Vocal outbursts: Talking, shouting, or even screaming—RBD makes your dreams a surround-sound experience for everyone nearby. Welcome to the show!
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Dream recall: Unlike night terrors, people with RBD often remember the dream that caused the outburst. You can genuinely wake up and say, "I was fighting a ninja" and mean it. Which if nothing else, sounds pretty awesome.
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Nocturnal chaos: Bed partners, furniture, and even pets are often caught in the crossfire. Poor souls.
what causes RBD?
RBD is usually linked to dysfunction in the brainstem, the part of your brain that handles REM sleep. It’s also sometimes associated with neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s or Lewy body dementia. But before you panic, remember that not everyone with RBD is destined for these conditions.
Triggers include:
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Medications: Certain antidepressants can stir up RBD shenanigans. Because depression isn’t enough to deal with. Here’s a side salad of weirdness! Welcs hun.
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Alcohol withdrawal: Giving up booze can temporarily make your brain extra spicy at night.
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Stress or trauma: A stressed brain is often a chaotic brain. So take a chill pill! Not the one’s that can cause RBD though. This could get messy.
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Age: RBD is more common in people over 50, as if being middle aged didn’t come with a bevvy of its own problems already!?
how does RBD affect your night (and everyone else’s)?
For the person with RBD, it might mean waking up mid-kick or being confused about why your duvet, pillows, and all of your clothes are on the floor. For the bed partner, it’s a mix of dodging nightly assaults, and wondering if they should start sleeping in protective gear.
Here’s a typical night in the life of someone with RBD:
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You fall asleep peacefully, dreaming of something innocent, like a lovely summer picnic. Ahhhh…
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Suddenly, you’re dreaming of a bear attack, the scent of your cucumber sandwiches (because dream you is fancy, you’re welcome) has drawn the beast in, and your arms decide to start swinging, in real life too, however.
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Your partner wakes up to an unexpected haymaker to the ribs.
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You wake up confused, apologising profusely while muttering, "It was the bear’s fault! I was protecting my fancy fingers, and my fancy finger sandwiches!"
It’s funny in hindsight, but it can be dangerous. People with RBD have accidentally injured themselves or others, and falling out of bed is a common hazard. Owwie.
the social impact: your partner, the real GOAT
Living with someone who has RBD is an extreme sport. Your partner might:
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Learn to dodge punches in their sleep like a ninja.
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Develop a sixth sense for your nighttime movements, waking up milliseconds before the chaos begins, leading to a poor night’s sleep.
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Invest in reinforced pillows or—let’s be honest—separate beds, or at the very least, a gum shield.
Pets don’t fare much better. Imagine the confusion of a dog being jolted awake by a random kick or a cat deciding, "To heck with that! I’m sleeping on the sofa from now on. Or, until I forget and need tummy rubs. BUT THAT’S IT!"
diagnosing RBD: it’s not all in your dreams
If your nightly escapades are starting to feel less “quirky” and more “concerning,” it might be time to see a sleep specialist. Diagnosis usually involves:
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Sleep study (polysomnography): You’ll spend a night hooked up to machines that monitor your brain waves, muscle activity, and more. If they catch you mid-karate chop, it’s fairly clear you’ve got your answer.
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Medical history: Doctors will look for clues like medication use, underlying conditions, or recent stress. Just speak to your GP, they can refer you to a specialist. Don’t worry your lovely head.
managing RBD: wrangling your night-time wrestler
The good news? RBD is manageable. You don’t have to keep your bed buddy in a permanent state of fear. Here’s how:
1. Safety First
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Move sharp objects and breakables far, far away.
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Consider padded bed rails or even putting something soft on the floor, if falls are a risk. (They are)
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Tell your partner to wear a helmet (kidding… sort of).
2. Medications
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Clonazepam: A common GP-prescribed treatment that calms your brain during sleep.
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Melatonin: It helps regulate sleep and reduce symptoms. Plus, it’s natural.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
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Cut back on alcohol, caffeine, and late-night stressors. No more arguing over Netflix shows before bed!
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Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Your body thrives on routine, even if your dreams don’t. Easy-ish!
living with RBD: finding the funny
Let’s face it: once the immediate danger has passed, RBD can be hilariously absurd.
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"Remember the time you thought the duvet was a snake and tried to wrestle it?"
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"Last night, you shouted ‘Take that? More like TAKE THAT *POW*, Gary Barlow!’ while kicking the air. I couldn’t stop laughing."
Bedtime becomes a mix of slapstick comedy and surprise aerobics. It’s unintentional entertainment for everyone involved—except maybe the lamp.
the emotional toll (and why it’s okay to laugh)
RBD can be embarrassing and even scary, but humour is a powerful tool for coping. Acknowledging the absurdity doesn’t minimise the challenges; it just makes them a bit easier to bear. BEAR?! WHERE?!
So, the next time you wake up tangled in sheets or your partner recounts your dream-fuelled escapades, give yourself permission to laugh. Life’s too short to take even the weird stuff too seriously. Unless people are getting hurt. That’s not cool, man.
when to get help
If RBD is interfering with your safety or sanity, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Sleep specialists can offer treatments and strategies that work for you. You deserve restful nights, not a nightly episode of Dreamland Gladiators.
et voila
REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder is a rollercoaster ride of dream-fuelled chaos. But with proper management, you can regain control of your nights and give your partner the gift of peaceful sleep (and fewer bruises). Until then, embrace the madness—after all, not everyone gets to star in their own action-packed sleep soap opera... REMmerdale? CoREMnation Street? Keeping Up AppeaREMces? OK, fine. That’s a sitcom. Whatever Trevor. Sorry if you’re called Trevor.
Until next time, eve sleep.
