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SexSomnia, Be Careful where you Sleep!

Posted by Leticia, 15 Apr

If the first time you heard the word you laughed, you are not alone. To some it seems like a great excuse to "get some" in your sleep and not be responsible for it the day after. For others it's a condition that they live with and literally sleep through every night. I first heard about it about a month ago on one of those news magazine TV shows. In my search for more information I was more shocked by what I didn't find out. Like how many people does this really effect? Is there a cure? What causes it?

What I did learn was that it has many names: Sleepsex, sexsomnia or SBS; (sexual behavior in sleep). Sexsomnia is not listed in medical journals as a sleep disorder; however, in revised editions of these medical reports, sexsomnia does get mentioned as "sexual behavior in sleep that does occur in some people". Okay, so what this means to you and me is that it does exists, it has happened and that there are some people that are victims of and victims to this disorder.

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Let's first talk about the many people that suffer from sexsomnia. A lot of them are embarrassed and too ashamed to seek help. Think about it, they had to be told about their behavior (sometimes overly aggressive sexual acting out), by a partner or mate that they share a bed with. Their first reaction is disbelief; think about it, they are really asleep while it's going on. Once they come to believe that they really did do something, they have to convince someone else like a doctor, therapist, etc.? And because many professionals are not aware of sexsomnia, they aren't getting the proper diagnosis or treatment. Let's not forget the other potential victims here. If you are with someone that suffers from sexsomnia and you sleep in their presence while they have an "episode" you can fall prey to an unwanted sexual encounter or assault.

There was a case in 2005 in Canada, where a man was acquitted of rape, in part because it was determined that the man had sexsomnia and "could not have been aware of his actions". As you can imagine, some people will view this as just another excuse for men to behave badly and get away with it. The reality is that men are not the only ones that suffer from sexsomnia. As research is continued to be conducted, it's important to look for signs and listen to those around you and be aware of what's going on. If you think that you suffer from sexsomnia there are a few resources available to you. First know that you are not alone. There's even been a book written on the subject. Sleepsex: Uncovered by Dr. Michael Managan. The book puts together all the research to date and even has over 60 first-hand accounts of others that have this disorder. As always, knowledge is power, if you or someone you know thinks there's a problem...seek help. And if you have a sleep over at a new friends' ...lock the doors.

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  1.   msu-research says:
    Posted: 19 Jun 07

    As this article mentions it is extremely difficult to examine the effects of this disorder as many people are embarrassed. If you or your partner suffer from any sleep disorder, in particular sexual behaviors during sleep PLEASE help with this 20 minute,anonymous, online research. This is in participation with Minnesota State University. http://mavdisk.mnsu.edu/kleinl1/

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  2.   Dianne says:
    Posted: 22 May 07

    im so glad there is others my partner has this i often get sleepless nights he even talks to me whlie fondling me and groans alot while sex and the weird thing is his eyes are open and i am 100% convinced he is a wake he always wakes up just as he is about to climax...ill tell u it is scary stuff specially when he is very forcefull.

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  3.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 25 Apr 07

    I thought sexsomnia was when you don't sleep coz you want sex. Was I ever wrong!!

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  4.   justknowingu says:
    Posted: 12 Apr 07

    all in all...still a tough sell it seems to me!!

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  5.   justknowingu says:
    Posted: 19 Mar 07

    well...thats different....strange but true perhaps...seeing is believing....heard a lot of stuff...just not that..are we going to have "sleep-induced" bank robberies next or something..!? they have to be awake to some degree I mean...with another person..!? where is fido the dog when this is going on...!?!?...this is a pretty hard sell...!?!?!?

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  6.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 05 Jan 07

    This is a new one to me....talking in your sleep is one thing, but??

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  7.   xina03 says:
    Posted: 23 Nov 06

    Lots of info that I didn't know......

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  8.   embraceme says:
    Posted: 21 Nov 06

    HMMM WELL I THINK I JUST HEARD OF EVERYTHING THEN YOU COME ALONG AND SHOCK THE SHYT OUT OF ME WITH THIS ARTICLE.. WELL I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE SO COULD SOMEONE TELL ME IS IT LIKE A WET DREAM LOL... NOT THAT I HAVE HAD ONE OF THOSE EITHER LMAOOOO..

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  9.   Fala says:
    Posted: 12 Nov 06

    Never heard of this one before. Strange, but interesting if it's true.

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  10.   ebonybeautyj says:
    Posted: 03 Nov 06

    I dont know about this one??? Hummmmmm

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  11.   Carla says:
    Posted: 14 Oct 06

    Ok..that was shocking information....hmmmmmmmmmmm....I will be more careful

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  12.   marquez097 says:
    Posted: 25 Sep 06

    Interesting stuff. It never fails to amaze me at what the human mind is capable of in a sleep state.

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  13.   xina03 says:
    Posted: 19 Sep 06

    Lots of shocking things I never heard before

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  14.   jimmirix says:
    Posted: 13 Sep 06

    wow! This is shocking stuff! Haven't heard of it before. Will be sure to lock doors whenever sleeping over!

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  15.   dave says:
    Posted: 23 Apr 06

    If i have a problem, it's that i find it hard to sleep - as in proper deep sleep next to someone. I am aware of their 'energy' and so find it difficult to drift off into unconcious deep sleep - am hoping someone could make some useful comment?? Dave

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