This is the name used when a person has a sleep related movement disorder that does not fit any of the other types.
In other cases, this label is only temporary. A mental condition is often thought to be the cause of the movement disorder. Once the mental disorder is found, its name will be given to the patient’s problem.
The movement disorder name will still be used in the following circumstances:
- The sleep complaint is very severe.
- The complaint must be tended to by a sleep specialist.
- The link between the movements and the mental condition is not clear.
In some patients, a mental disorder will never be found for sure. For them, “sleep related movement disorder, unspecified” will still be the name given to their problem.
By Donald R. Townsend, PhD
Updated May 16, 2006
