"This book is an unique collection of accounts from patients with nocturnal events ranging from the violent dream enactment of REM sleep behavior disorder and sleep terrors to sleep related eating and sex. With a style of more classical writings, this detailed collection promotes an insight into the real life aspects of caring for individuals with recurrent nighttime events not seen in other current texts of clinical medicine. The style lends itself to expanding the target audience beyond those in sleep medicine, potentially appealing to patients and families. Included with the interviews, Dr. Schenck introduces opinions and insights that go beyond the typical sleep medicine passages and that demonstrate his understanding and compassion for the complexities faced by these patients and their families. In the first chapters, the author reviews the classical features of the parasomnias, detailed in the standard classification of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Second Edition. He also provides a level of subtext that demonstrates how many of these events may cross over these traditional lines and how many may dive into the nature of consciousness. Following the review, the next chapters cover 26 case stories of REM sleep related events and 25 individuals with NREM parasomnias. These stories are the real pearl of the book, and Schenck exquisitely lays out the details of the events and their effects upon |
remembrances and the consequences of their disorder with the clarity that is rarely seen at the first clinic visit. Patients also discuss their feelings and fears related to the events and review how the treatment of the events changed their lives. As with any good history of paroxysmal events, the bed partner’s remembrance and reactions are written in parallel to the patient’s story. Many of the interviews have polysomnographic data and clinical follow-ups that provide a better look at the long-term care process. This powerful dynamic provides the reader with an instant ability to grasp the magnitude of these events, elevating parasomnias beyond simple cocktail conversation. Further stories of sleep related eating, nocturnal dissociation, and abnormal sleep sex provide additional insight into the range of these events. To round out the story experience, the book includes a later chapter on pet-related parasomnias. Many scientists search for animal models, but these stories bring a more family approach to these interesting animal parasomnia events. In addition the book discusses the several interactions of humans with parasomnias and their pets, showing us how well our furry friends know us. The last several chapters review the medical legal issues and what to do if you knowsomeone with a parasomnia. Dr. Schenck comprehensively outlines the key |
features of the case from Ontario of Kenneth Parks. Mr. Parks drove 40 miles to kill his beloved mother-in-law and was cleared by the court. Through this process, the author demonstrates how we, as sleep experts, truly need to be “friends of the court” in deciphering the complexities of these difficult cases. He goes on to include excerpts from a lawyer describing the difficulties of delineating voluntary versus involuntary acts. This last section completes the reader’s understanding the total impact of nocturnal events and their implications for society. Throughout the book Schenck weaves a careful story of compassion and appreciation for the journeys these patients have endured while also setting a high standard of care for us to promote. His message is clear: that the art of good history taking, open mindedness, and dedicated investigation allow one to see beyond the dogma of our current understanding. For anyone in the sleep field, this book can provide a wealth of practical experience that one can only gain from decades of practice. For those of us ardently trying to decipher the intricacies of parasomnias, this book will be a classic. - Bradley V. Vaughn, MD |