Does this sound like a nocturnal seizure?

[ColouringPencils]

For about 6 hours last night, DH kept drifting off to sleep and then having sudden, violent, jerky movements he couldn't control. He would wake himself up, then fall asleep and the same thing happened again. He has ended up punching himself, falling out of bed, kicking and lashing out, slapping me and grabbing me. I could have moved away but I didn't like to leave him as it looked scary. He then went to sleep downstairs to keep me safe, but then ended up kicking the arm of the sofa in.

I think this might have happened once or twice before, but I assumed it was a bad dream then. This time was different as it went on for hours (on and off) and he said he wasn't dreaming. Sometimes the movements continued after he woke up and as the night went on he was aware of it (he kept saying, shit why am I doing this?), sometimes even laughing as it felt so ridiculous to eg punch himself in the head, but still unable to control it. When he spoke he seemed normal.

I wanted him to go to the hospital in the night but that seemed to really scare him as he thought they would say he was mad.
I've googled and it sounds like it might be nocturnal seizures? He is asleep now. Does he need to see a doctor?

It sounds like he should see a doctor. Is he otherwise totally well? A condition called REM sleep disorder is a bit like this ( although the movements are linked to dreaming in that condition) which can be linked to several things including medications and sone neurological conditions.

Thanks @cathyandclare and sorry it took me a while to reply. I was quite stressed about the thought of going to bed.
Yes it does sound like REM sleep disorder, it was when he was on the edge of sleep. We talked about it and he said he wasn't dreaming, but he was sort of between sleep and awake. He was scared too. Still seems reluctant to speak to anyone, but he is seeing a doctor for something else in a week or so so I am going to ask him to talk about it.