Sleep-Related Movement Disorders

Abstract

Sleep-related movement disorders include disorders that manifest as simple and mostly stereotyped movements occurring at sleep–wake interface or during sleep. Restless legs syndrome (RLS), the most common sleep-related movement disorder. RLS is a treatable condition that psychiatrists must be familiar with due to its common comorbidity with a broad range of psychiatric disorders. In addition, commonly used psychotropic medications are known to induce or worsen RLS symptoms in predisposed individuals, and these symptoms may be mistaken for akathisia or sleep-initiation insomnia and lead to mismanagement. This chapter discusses, among other RLS-related topics, the diagnosis, epidemiology, predisposing factors, genetic factors, and the role of iron metabolism.