What is the primary characteristic of parasomnia?

The primary characteristic of parasomnia is arousal from sleep with inappropriate behavior. This condition often involves abnormal movements, behaviors, or experiences that occur while transitioning between sleep stages or during sleep itself. Examples of parasomnias include sleepwalking, night terrors, and REM sleep behavior disorder, where individuals might act out their dreams. These episodes can involve complex motor actions, often without the individual being aware of them, and can lead to potential injury or disruption of sleep for both the affected individual and their bed partner.

Other aspects, such as the inability to fall asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, or difficulty maintaining sleep, are more closely associated with primary sleep disorders like insomnia or hypersomnia rather than parasomnias. Therefore, the distinct feature that sets parasomnias apart is the inappropriate behaviors that manifest during sleep rather than issues with sleep initiation or duration.