Sleep wanking
Question
Last week my girlfriend said I was laughing and playing with myself when I was asleep. Apparently, when she asked what was going on, I gave her a really strange look and went back to sleep. I dont remember any of this, though an ex-girlfriend once mentioned I'd done something similar. What could be going on? Is this totally weird?
Answer
There are a number of different factors that can affect how people behave when they're asleep. Dreams can have an impact on a person's actions, as can alcohol or drugs. Obviously this behaviour seems strange, especially as you have no memory of it, but it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.
There is a sleep disorder sometimes known as 'sleep sex', which involves a disruption to the normal dreaming stage of sleep. The medical term for this problem is REM behaviour disorder (RBD) and it occurs when the body is not immobilised during sleep and may act out dreams. Treatment often involves finding what may be triggering the behaviour, which can include alcohol or stress.
If what happened continues to bother you, you might to consider talking to your local doctor (GP), if only to put your mind at rest.
Updated: 26/01/2007
Question answered by bss
