Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (also known as RBD) is a [sleep disorder](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-disorders-explained) that causes dream enactment—extreme physical and verbal reactions to dreams—during sleep. During standard [REM sleep](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide), the body enters muscle atonia, a temporary state of paralysis that prevents our arms and legs from moving while we sleep. Individuals with RBD do not enter atonia during the REM sleep stage, so their bodies can move to enact their dreams.

The disorder is extremely rare, occurring in less than one percent of the population, with men more likely to develop it than women. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the disorder typically presents itself after the age of 50 and is potentially an indication of a future neurodegenerative disorder. Due to the behavioral aspect, the International Classification of Sleep Disorders classifies the disorder as a form of [parasomnia](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/parasomnia-explained), a family of sleep disorders that includes sleep terrors and [sleepwalking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/somnambulism-explained).
The symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder fall into two primary categories: involuntary motor response and vocalization. People with RBD will either exhibit mild physical reactions, like hand movements, or more extreme reactions like punching, kicking, and even getting out of bed and attempting to run. These movements can result in sleep-related injuries for the patient and their bed partner. 

Common sleep vocalizations include talking, shouting or screaming, laughing, cursing, and crying during sleep.
Consult a medical professional to discuss a diagnosis of RBD and possible treatment options. RBD treatment usually begins with a consultation with a medical professional, like a sleep specialist or neurologist, who may ask the patient to keep a [sleep diary](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide) or fill out the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which looks at the level of sleepiness during daytime activities. 

Doctors may also request that the patient participate in a [sleep study](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-study-guide) or polysomnography (PSG), an overnight sleep test that monitors how you sleep, your brain activity (using an electroencephalogram or EEG), and your heart and breathing rates. The polysomnographic test can help doctors determine whether a patient has REM sleep behavior disorder, [narcolepsy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/narcolepsy-explained), sleep disturbances, like obstructive sleep apnea, n[ight terrors](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/night-terrors-explained), or periodic limb movements, which have symptoms that resemble RBD.
Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of *Why We Sleep* and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.  
REM sleep behavior disorder is a rare disorder that can cause abnormal and sometimes harmful behavior during sleep.

REM sleep behavior disorder is a rare disorder that can cause abnormal and sometimes harmful behavior during sleep.

How REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Works

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (also known as RBD) is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-disorders-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-disorders-explained","linkCopy":"sleep disorder","category":null}'>sleep disorder</a> that causes dream enactment—extreme physical and verbal reactions to dreams—during sleep. During standard <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide","linkCopy":"REM sleep","category":null}'>REM sleep</a>, the body enters muscle atonia, a temporary state of paralysis that prevents our arms and legs from moving while we sleep. Individuals with RBD do not enter atonia during the REM sleep stage, so their bodies can move to enact their dreams.The disorder is extremely rare, occurring in less than one percent of the population, with men more likely to develop it than women. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the disorder typically presents itself after the age of 50 and is potentially an indication of a future neurodegenerative disorder. Due to the behavioral aspect, the International Classification of Sleep Disorders classifies the disorder as a form of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/parasomnia-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/parasomnia-explained","linkCopy":"parasomnia","category":null}'>parasomnia</a>, a family of sleep disorders that includes sleep terrors and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/somnambulism-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/somnambulism-explained","linkCopy":"sleepwalking","category":null}'>sleepwalking</a>.

What Is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

The symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder fall into two primary categories: involuntary motor response and vocalization. People with RBD will either exhibit mild physical reactions, like hand movements, or more extreme reactions like punching, kicking, and even getting out of bed and attempting to run. These movements can result in sleep-related injuries for the patient and their bed partner. Common sleep vocalizations include talking, shouting or screaming, laughing, cursing, and crying during sleep.

What Are the Main Symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Consult a medical professional to discuss a diagnosis of RBD and possible treatment options. RBD treatment usually begins with a consultation with a medical professional, like a sleep specialist or neurologist, who may ask the patient to keep a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide","linkCopy":"sleep diary","category":null}'>sleep diary</a> or fill out the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which looks at the level of sleepiness during daytime activities. Doctors may also request that the patient participate in a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-study-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-study-guide","linkCopy":"sleep study","category":null}'>sleep study</a> or polysomnography (PSG), an overnight sleep test that monitors how you sleep, your brain activity (using an electroencephalogram or EEG), and your heart and breathing rates. The polysomnographic test can help doctors determine whether a patient has REM sleep behavior disorder, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/narcolepsy-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/narcolepsy-explained","linkCopy":"narcolepsy","category":null}'>narcolepsy</a>, sleep disturbances, like obstructive sleep apnea, n<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/night-terrors-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/night-terrors-explained","linkCopy":"ight terrors","category":null}'>ight terrors</a>, or periodic limb movements, which have symptoms that resemble RBD.

Treatment Options for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.

Want to Learn More About Catching Those Elusive Zs?

REM sleep behavior disorder is a rare disorder that can cause abnormal and sometimes harmful behavior during sleep.

REM sleep behavior disorder is a rare disorder that can cause abnormal and sometimes harmful behavior during sleep.
