Sleep-related eating disorder is a parasomnia — abnormal activity or behavior that occurs while you're falling asleep, sleeping or waking up.

Episodes of sleep-related eating disorder occur in the first half of the night after you've been sleeping and include:

• Frequent episodes, generally nightly, of eating and drinking in an out-of-control manner
• Impaired consciousness while preparing and eating food
• Little or no memory of these actions the next morning
• Eating high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods or odd combinations of food
• Possibly eating inedible or toxic substances, such as frozen foods, coffee grounds, cleaning solutions or cigarette butts
• Possibly experiencing injuries or engaging in dangerous food preparation activities
• Not being easily awakened or redirected during the episode
• Experiencing a negative impact on your health from the nighttime eating

Sleep-related eating disorder usually occurs during non-rapid eye movement sleep in the first half of the night and is associated with the transition from non-rapid eye movement to arousal during sleep.

The exact mechanism for why it occurs is not known, but sleep-related eating disorder often occurs in people who have a history of sleepwalking, so these conditions may be related.

Sleep-related eating disorder is more common in women and typically starts in the teenage years or the early 20s.

Increased risk of developing sleep-related eating disorder is associated with:

• Other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleepwalking, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome
• Hypnotic sleep medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist), and certain other medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics
• Having a daytime eating disorder, such as bulimia or anorexia
• Having a mental health disorder, such as stress, anxiety or depression
• Having a first-degree relative — a parent, child or sibling — with sleep-related eating disorder or sleepwalking
• Experiencing sleep deprivation

A sleep-related eating disorder can result in:

• Dangerous use of kitchen appliances, falls, cuts, burns, choking, injury from eating something inedible or toxic, or eating something you're allergic to
• Health problems, such as weight gain, poor diabetes control or dental cavities
• Feelings of guilt and helplessness over the lack of control
• Daytime tiredness from disrupted sleep