Rocking Movements In My Sleep

by Nikki
(New York)

Lately my boyfriend has noticed that in the middle of the night I sit up and rock back and forth shaking my head from left to right. I have no memory of this activity and I am asleep while this is happening. He has tried to wake me up while in progress, and I just mumble. Why does this occur? And is there anything I can do to stop it from happening?

Kevin's Answer

Hey Nikki,

This sounds a lot like a condition known as Rhythmic Movement Disorder (or RMD). RMD is a lot like it sounds--it consists of repetitive rhythmic movements of large body areas during (and sometimes just before) sleep. What you have described sounds like a common symptom of RMD known as body rocking, where the patient will sit up during light sleep (usually in stages 1 and 2 of NREM sleep) and rock his or her entire body back and forth, often with no recollection of it in the morning, as you describe.

Rhythmic Movement Disorder is a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder that typically involves excess physical movements during sleep (sleepwalking and sleep talking are other examples of parasomnias). Often the movements associated with RMD are passive and not the cause of much concern beyond any disturbances of sleep or bed partner worry that may come along with it. But sometimes the movements can consist of violent thrashings of the head that can cause some serious pain and even lasting damage. That obviously doesn't sound like what you are describing, but just something to be aware of in the larger picture of the condition.

Another notable thing for me to mention about Rhythmic Movement Disorder is that it is typically found in infants and young children, where it can often be left untreated, as long as it's not causing physical harm, as the children almost always outgrow it. It is found in adulthood on a much rarer basis, and as such it would be a great idea to go see a sleep specialist about it. There you'll likely be able to have a polysomnographic test to make it clear exactly what it is you're experiencing and make sure that it is not a sign of a separate problem as well.

The direct causes of RMD are not really known yet, and it's a bit tricky since the condition can occur in individuals with otherwise perfect health, children or adults. Some have suggested it is perhaps related a bit to stress when it occurs in adolescents or adults (kind of like a tic movement during sleep), but that doesn't really explain why it occurs in infants too, so you can see where things can get a bit tricky here.

While I can point you towards this information about RMD and offer that what you describe certainly sounds like it, I would really suggest seeing a sleep specialist about it to verify that and make sure everything is okay.

My best wishes to you! If you have any follow-up questions or comments, please don't hesitate to post them using the "Post Comments" link below!

Warmly,
Kevin

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