Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, is a sleep disorder characterized by, as the name suggests, walking during sleep or performing other activities while still asleep. It falls under the parasomnia umbrella as it involves atypical or disruptive movements and behaviors.
Sleepwalking affects over 8 million people in the USA which is about 7% of the population. Precisely speaking, around a quarter of children sleepwalk, and around 3 to 4% of the adult population experience sleepwalking. These sleepwalking episodes can last from a couple of seconds to half an hour or longer.
Now, if you want to learn more about sleepwalking, read on!
Sleepwalking Symptoms
As already noted, apart from walking, sleepwalking can be characterized by performing different activities during sleep which may include:
- Repetitive movements
- Sitting up in bed
- Leaving the home
- Unresponsiveness to voice or touch
- Appearing dazed
What’s more, when it comes to children and sleepwalking, other symptoms may occur such as night terrors, bedwetting, and talking in their sleep.
Sleepwalking Dangers
As sleepwalking is a state of not being fully awake and alert, this sleep disorder is considered a partial arousal disorder. And, since sleepers aren’t aware during their sleepwalking episodes, they can sometimes try to engage in dangerous activities like:
- Going up or down stairs
- Using heavy or sharp objects
- Leaving the home
- Driving a vehicle
- Performing complex tasks
- Rearrange furniture
- Jump through a window
- Become violent
Unfortunately, some of these activities can present danger to the sleeper or people around them. Therefore, you should try to wake them up by standing by their side, putting your hand on them slowly and gently, and talking to wake them up and explaining to them where they are and that they need to get back to bed.
Similarly, to protect a sleepwalker from injuring themselves you can:
- Ensure that your doors are always locked at night
- Install childproof locks on windows
- Keep sharp and heavy objects in a safe place
- Hide car keys
- Install gates on stairways
Sleepwalking Treatment
Generally speaking, there’s no need for sleepwalking treatment. Yet, if a sleepwalker is putting themselves or others in danger, medication or other type of treatment may be required. Treatment may also be required if sleepwalking is accompanied by:
- Another type of parasomnia
- Another type of sleep disorder
- Extreme daytime sleepiness, disrupted function, or behavioral issues due to poor sleep
By addressing and treating underlying medical or sleep conditions, the likelihood of experiencing sleepwalking episodes will reduce, while sleep quality will improve. However, to get the right treatment you have to see a sleep specialist and get checked for sleepwalking, as well as for other sleep disorders.
Here are some sleepwalking treatment options:
- Scheduled awakenings – waking up a person 15 to 30 minutes before an episode typically begins and keeping them awake for about 15 minutes, provided that the person regularly sleepwalks at around the same time.
- Medications – if sleepwalking presents a danger or disrupts daily life, some antidepressants and benzodiazepines can be prescribed such as trazodone, estazolam, and clonazepam (Klonopin).
To sum up, sleepwalking is a sleep disorder, a type of parasomnia precisely speaking, that can potentially endanger sufferers and the people around them. That said, it’s essential that sleepwalkers get professional help to reduce the effects of the disorder and get proper treatment.