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Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)

SRED, or Sleep-Related Eating Disorder, is a type of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnia where people eat during the night without being fully awake. This can include preparing and consuming food, even things that aren’t safe to eat, while still asleep or in a semi-conscious state. Often, those affected have little or no memory of these episodes the next morning. Beyond disrupted sleep, SRED can affect physical health, emotional well-being, and overall energy levels.

Common Symptoms of SRED

SRED can look different for each person, but some common signs include:

  • Uncontrolled night-time eating: Eating large amounts of food while only partly awake, often foods high in sugar or calories.
  • Memory gaps: Having little to no recollection of eating during the night.
  • Eating non-food items: Sometimes, people may consume inedible or unsafe substances.
  • Risk of injury: Burns, cuts, or accidents may happen while preparing or eating food in a semi-conscious state.
  • Weight and health changes: Night-time eating can contribute to weight gain and other health issues linked to excess calories.

What Causes SRED?

The exact cause of SRED isn’t fully understood, but several factors can play a part:
  • Medications: Certain sleep medicines, sedatives, or antidepressants may trigger episodes.
  • Other sleep disorders: Conditions like sleepwalking, restless legs syndrome (RLS), or sleep apnea can increase the risk.
  • Mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric issues may contribute.
  • Body clock disruptions: Changes to your circadian rhythm (your internal clock) can affect both sleep and eating patterns.

How is SRED Diagnosed?

Getting a proper diagnosis is important, as SRED often overlaps with other sleep or medical conditions. A healthcare professional, often a sleep specialist, will usually take several steps:
  1. Clinical evaluation:
    • Reviewing your medical history, sleep habits, and any medications you’re taking.
    • Discussing any psychological or mental health conditions.
  2. Sleep studies (polysomnography):
  3. Sleep and food diaries:
    • Keeping track of your eating patterns, night-time behaviours, and triggers can provide valuable clues.
  4. Medical assessments:
    • Blood tests or metabolic checks may be done to assess nutrition, weight, and other underlying health factors.
A careful, thorough diagnosis helps ensure that any treatment plan is tailored to you and addresses all the contributing factors.

What Are The Treatment Options for SRED?

Managing SRED typically involves a combination of medical guidance, therapy, and practical lifestyle adjustments. A doctor or healthcare professional should always guide this process. Options may include:
  • Medication adjustments: Reviewing and changing medicines that may be linked to night-time eating.
  • Prescription treatments: In some cases, medications may be recommended to reduce parasomnia behaviours or support underlying mental health conditions.
  • Therapy and support: Approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help with stress, anxiety, or habits that contribute to SRED.
  • Improving sleep hygiene: Sticking to a regular sleep schedule, reducing alcohol or sedative use, and creating a calming bedtime routine.
  • Safety measures: Locking away food or securing kitchen appliances to reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Download our 5-Step Sleep Coach Method: to build simple, practical lifestyle changes tailored to your needs.
By combining medical, therapeutic, and lifestyle strategies, many people are able to manage SRED and protect both their health and sleep.

What to Do Next if You Suspect or Are Living with SRED

If night-time eating is happening often, feels unsafe, or is affecting your daily life, it’s important to take steps forward:
  • Talk to a healthcare provider who has experience with sleep disorders. They can assess your situation and, if needed, refer you to a sleep specialist.
  • Ask about testing. Sleep studies and detailed diaries can help identify whether SRED is present and determine if other conditions are contributing to the symptoms.
  • Discuss treatment options. Under a doctor’s guidance, this might include adjusting medications, therapy, or specific sleep-focused treatments.
  • Consider behavioural therapies. CBT and similar approaches can help manage stress, emotions, and habits that may trigger night-time eating.
  • Make your environment safer. Simple steps like locking the kitchen or moving hazardous items can prevent accidents.
  • Support better sleep. Stick to a consistent routine, manage stress levels, and limit alcohol or sedatives before bed.
  • Track your progress. Keeping a diary or using sleep-tracking tools can help you and your healthcare team see improvements over time.
With the right support, it is possible to reduce risks, regain control, and enjoy more restful nights.(1)(2)(3)(4)

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Sleep-Related Eating Disorders. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21730-sleep-related-eating-disorders
  2. Chiaro, G. (2015). Treatment of sleep-related eating disorder. PubMed. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26037737/
  3. Blaszczyk, B. (2023). Polysomnography findings in sleep-related eating disorder. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10206059/
  4. Sevinçer, G. M. (2017). Sleep-related eating disorder: Importance of prebariatric evaluation. PubMed. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27614949/
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