Sleep Disorders: Sleepwalking

What sort of disorder is sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder characterized by walking or other activity while still asleep. Sleepwalking is a series of complex behaviors that are initiated during slow wave sleep. It is a rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder which occurs in the dream phase of sleep. During this phase, normally, the body releases a chemical that paralyzes our movements. However, sleepwalkers lack this chemical trigger, thus walking in their sleep. Such sleep disorders would make the patients have the sensation that they can never rest enough: they go to sleep tired, they wake up exhausted, thus getting anxiety feelings and severe depression.

Prevalence and triggers of sleepwalking amongst all sleep disorders

The prevalence of sleepwalking in the general population is estimated to be between 1% and 15%. The onset or persistence of sleepwalking in adulthood is common, and is usually not associated with any significant underlying psychiatric or psychological problems. Common triggers for sleepwalking include sleep deprivation, sedative agents (including alcohol) or febrile illnesses.

Sleep walking occurs at any age, but it occurs most often in children aged 6 to 12 years old.

One study estimates that as many as 15% of children ages 5 to 12 years walk in their sleep at least once, and that most of them suffer from one-two sleep disorders in their lifetime. Repeated sleepwalking is more common in males and frequently is associated with night time bedwetting.

Sometimes, sleepwalking may appear as a side effect of certain medications.

Sleepwalking disorder symptoms and features

- ambulation (walking or moving about) that occurs during sleep. Disorders typically occur in pre-pubertal children.

- difficulty in arousing the patient during an episode

- amnesia following

- episodes typically occur in the first third of the sleep time

- polysomnographic monitoring demonstrates the onset of an episode during stage 3 or 4 sleep

- fatigue

- stress

- anxiety

One common misconception concerning such sleep disorders is that a sleep walker should not be awakened. It is not dangerous to awaken a sleep walker, although it is common for the person to be confused or disoriented for a short time on awakening. Another misconception is that a person cannot be injured when sleep walking. Actually, injuries caused by such things as tripping and loss of balance are common for sleepwalkers.

Can sleepwalking be treated like any other sleep disorder?

There are some things a sleepwalker can do in order to alleviate his sleep disorder and get some peace:

Rest a lot, as overtiredness can trigger a sleepwalking episode.

Relax before going asleep. Meditation or relaxation exercises can help (see Sleep disorders tips and tricks – part I). In general, try to reduce stress, as it can be another trigger for sleepwalking.

Remove anything from the bedroom that could be harmful.

An assessment of the sleepwalker should include a careful review of the current medication so that modifications can be made if necessary.

Hypnosis has been found to be helpful for both children and adults. Even self-hypnosis is found helpful by some people.

An accurate psychiatric evaluation could help to decide the need for psychiatric intervention.

Some medication can also help. Nevertheless, for this you should seek for medical advice before taking such drugs.