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Sleepwalking

Introduction
Signs and symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Screening and diagnosis
Treatment
Self-care

Sleepwalking - also known as somnambulism - is often a random event that doesn't signal any serious problems or even require treatment. Although sleepwalking can occur at any age, it's most likely between ages 8 and 12. Most kids simply outgrow sleepwalking on their own.

Still, sleepwalking is no joking matter. Take simple steps to protect yourself or your child from sleepwalking injuries.

Someone who is sleepwalking may:

• Sit up in bed and open his or her eyes
• Have a glazed, glassy-eyed expression
• Roam around the house, perhaps opening and closing doors or turning lights on and off
• Do routine activities, such as getting dressed or making a snack - even driving a car
• Speak or move in a clumsy manner

Sleepwalking usually occurs during deep sleep, early in the night - often one to two hours after falling asleep. Sleepwalking is unlikely during naps. Some sleepwalking episodes last only a few seconds or minutes. Others last for 30 minutes or longer. The person won't remember the sleepwalking episode in the morning.

Sleepwalking can occur at any age, but it's most likely between ages 8 and 12. In fact, up to an estimated 15 percent of otherwise healthy children experience occasional sleepwalking episodes.

Many factors can contribute to sleepwalking, including:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Fever

Sleepwalking is sometimes associated with underlying medical or mental health conditions, such as:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux)
• Seizure disorders
• Stopped breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Panic attacks

In other cases, use of alcohol or certain medications - including some antibiotics, antihistamines, sedatives and sleeping pills - can trigger sleepwalking episodes.

Treatment for sleepwalking isn't usually necessary. If you notice your child or anyone else in your household sleepwalking, gently lead him or her back to bed. It's not dangerous to wake a person who's sleepwalking, but it can be disruptive. The person may only be confused and disoriented if awakened.

If the sleepwalking leads to excessive daytime sleepiness or poses a risk of serious injury, the doctor may recommend medication. Sometimes short-term use of benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants can stop sleepwalking episodes.

If the sleepwalking is associated with an underlying medical or mental health condition, treatment is aimed at the underlying problem.

If sleepwalking is a problem for you or your child, be patient while you get to the root of the problem - or simply wait it out.

• Make the environment safe for sleepwalking. To help prevent injury, close and lock all windows and exterior doors at night. You might even lock interior doors or place alarms or bells on the doors. Block doorways or stairways with a gate, and move electrical cords or other objects that pose a tripping hazard. Place any sharp or fragile objects out of reach.
• Get more sleep. Fatigue can contribute to sleepwalking. Try an earlier bedtime or a more regular sleep schedule.
• Encourage relaxation. Do quiet, calming activities - such as reading books, doing puzzles or soaking in a warm bath - before bed. Meditation or relaxation exercises may help, too.
• Put stress in its place. Identify the things that stress you out, and brainstorm possible ways to handle the stress. If your child seems anxious or stressed, talk about what's bothering him or her.
• Look for a pattern. If your child is sleepwalking, keep a sleep diary. For several nights, note how many minutes after bedtime a sleepwalking episode occurs. If the timing is fairly consistent, wake your child about 15 minutes before you expect a sleepwalking episode. Keep your child awake for five minutes, and then let him or her fall asleep again.

Above all, be positive. However disruptive, sleepwalking isn't a serious condition - and it usually goes away on its own.