Sleep and Parkinson's

Sleep and night-time problems are common in Parkinson’s. They can affect you at any stage of the condition and may leave you feeling tired and drowsy. 

Key points

  • Parkinson's medication can cause excessive daytime sleepiness or sudden onset of sleep. This can be severe for some people, so it's important to get support from your healthcare professional if this happens.
  • Excessive feelings of sleepiness during the day can also happen if you aren't sleeping well at night. The effect can cause some people to doze off during normal waking hours.
  • Other sleep issues that can affect people with Parkinson's include sleep conditions and difficulty moving in bed. You may also experience mental health problems if you don't sleep well enough.

Do you care for someone with Parkinson's?

Sleep and night-time problems are almost twice as common among carers of people with Parkinson’s than in the general population.

If you are caring for someone with Parkinson’s, these sleep disturbances may lead to an increased risk of depression and stress.

It may be difficult sometimes, but if you’re a carer it’s important to have good sleeping habits. This will help improve your health, wellbeing and general quality of life.

Much of the advice on this page applies to you as a carer as well as the person you care for.

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Sleep and night-time problems in Parkinson's (2.7MB)

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Choosing the right bed and mattress

When shopping for a bed or mattress, it’s important to consider your individual needs, just as you would when looking at other aids or items of equipment. Not every type will suit your specific needs, or be right for you.

Occupational therapist Emma Bracher shares her top tips for choosing the right bed and mattress when you have Parkinson’s.

Can't sleep - David's story

Sleep and night-time problems are common in Parkinson’s. They can affect you at any stage of the condition and may leave you feeling tired and drowsy. 

David shares his experiences of sleep problems and admits, "I can't remember the last time I slept through the night."

Last updated March 2019. We review all our information within 3 years. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]