Parasomnias include sleep disturbances with body jerking (rapid eye movement behavior disorder), sleepwalking, panic attacks (sleep terrors) and other medically-treatable conditions.

Sleep disturbances with body jerking can be the results of either periodic limb movement disorder, or a parasomnia. Both are medically treated through the use of prescribed drugs and better sleeping habits. Periodic limb movement disorder has symptoms ranging from minor movements/shaking/jitters in the legs and arms, all the way through wild and sometimes violent movements of the arms and legs. The parasomnia most associated with body jerking or internal shaking is rapid eye movement behavior disorder, where the sufferer physically acts out their dreams as they are experienced during sleep.