Citation

Shatkin JP, Feinfield K, Strober M. Sleep Breath. 2002; 6(4): 175-179.

Affiliation

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA. jshatkin@sbcglobal.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11325-002-0175-0

PMID

12524570

Abstract

We report a case of misinterpretation of a non-REM sleep parasomnia as suicidal behavior in an early adolescent. A 12-year-old female with a history of sleepwalking but no prior psychiatric diagnosis awoke in the middle of the night with a deep laceration to her neck and complete amnesia for the event. During the initial 2-week pediatric hospitalization, it was believed that the wound was intentionally self-inflicted despite patient claims and evidence to the contrary. The patient was placed on a psychiatric hold and transferred to an appropriate facility. We review rule-out diagnoses and evidence supporting this case as an example of a violent non-REM parasomnia resulting in self-injurious behavior. Diagnostic and treatment implications are discussed.

Language: en