Definition |
Causes |
Risk Factors |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Prevention
Definition
Sleepwalking is a type of sleep disorder. A person who is sleepwalking may walk around or do other complex behaviors while still asleep. It may be as simple as sitting up in bed or as complex as leaving the house and going for a drive.
Causes
It is not clear exactly what causes sleepwalking. Some people are more likely to sleepwalk. The sleepwalking may be triggered by:
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of sleepwalking include:
- Family history of sleepwalking
- Being a child—most common in preschool to pre-adolescence
Symptoms
Along with walking during sleep, other symptoms can include:
- Sitting up in bed and repeating certain movements such as rubbing eyes or fumbling with clothes
- Talking in your sleep
- Difficulty arousing during a sleepwalking episode
- Doing inappropriate behavior during a sleepwalking episode such as urinating in closets
- Becoming violent when a person tries to wake you
- Not remembering the event
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will be asked about your:
- Family history
- Fatigue
- Medication
- Underlying illness or stress
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist. You may need to have a
sleep study
done in a medical clinic.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
Your doctor will help you prevent injury during sleepwalking by recommending that you:
- Remove dangerous objects from your room
- Keep doors and windows closed and locked
Some cases of sleepwalking can be treated with
hypnosis.
Your doctor will ask you to keep track of what time of night the sleepwalking tends to occur. You then schedule a wake up just before that time. This may help stop the sleepwalking.
Medications that may help reduce sleepwalking include:
- Sedative-hypnotics
- Antidepressants
Prevention
To help reduce the chances of sleepwalking, take the following steps:
- Increase the amount of time scheduled for sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and certain medications that may trigger sleepwalking.
- Have a regular bedtime routine.
Guilleminault C, Kirisoglu C, Bao, G, et al. Adult chronic sleepwalking and its treatment based on polysomnography.
Brain. 2005; 128:1062-1069.
Guilleminault C, Palombini L, Pelayo R, Chervin RD. Sleepwalking and sleep terrors in prepubertal children: what triggers them?.
Pediatrics. 2003;111:17-25.
Hafeez ZH, Kalinowski CM. Somnambulism induced by quitapine: two case reports and a review of the literature.
CNS Spectrums.
2007;12:910-912.
Pressman MR. Factors that predispose, prime and precipitate NREM parasomnias in adults: clinical and forensic implications.
Sleep Med Rev. 2007:11:5-30
Sleepwalking. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated January 1, 2011. Accessed June 4, 2013.
Sleepwalking. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking.html. Updated November 2010. Accessed June 4, 2013.
Sleepwalking. National Sleep Foundation website. Available at:
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/sleepwalking
Accessed
June 4, 2013.
Last reviewed June 2013 by
Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved.