Scratching and self-mutilation during sleep: mental disorder Posted: 02-10-07 23:37pm
I'm asking this on behalf of a friend.
She's been suffering from a disorder that
hasn't been properly diagnosed, and it
only occurs when she's asleep. She engages
in some sort of involuntary
self-injury/mutilation act which makes her
scratch at her body during sleep. She
can't seem to control it and her condition
has been progressively worsening. Lately,
there're scratches all over her body,
where they used to be confined to her
legs. She's been to the doctor a couple of
times over the years and was provided
creams and lotions, but they've stopped
working. I'm very worried for her and want
her to stop hurting herself, but she can't
seem to control it either. Is this some
sort of sleeping disorder, or other mental
condition? She refuses to seek a therapist
and I'm not sure whether she needs
one.
Given the “involuntary
self-injury/mutilation act on her body
during the sleep” you describe, it seems
very likely that your friend is
experiencing some kind of mental disorder.
Mental disorders can manifest as sleeping
disorders (because the symptoms occur
during sleep) but are primarily mental in
nature. Creams and balsams can’t help.
She needs medical help from a mental
health doctor, immediately!
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