Sleepwalking in adults can have multiple causes, including stress, medication, head injuries, and other sleep disorders. A doctor can evaluate and treat potential underlying causes. Treatment options vary and may include medication or safety precautions.
Sleepwalking in adults can be associated with a number of causes, including other parasomnias, which are disorders that occur during sleep. Often, multiple factors, such as stress, certain medications, and head injuries, interact to create a sleepwalking problem. People who experience sleepwalking can see a doctor for an evaluation to check for any potentially dangerous causes and treat them. This could solve the sleepwalking problem.
Sleepwalking is much more common in children. As people move into adulthood, sleep patterns change and the likelihood of sleepwalking decreases. Stress is commonly a factor in sleepwalking in adults. People may also develop sleep disturbances due to alcohol or drug abuse, medications known to interfere with sleep cycles, and sleep deprivation. Hyperthyroid conditions have been linked to sleepwalking in adults, as have head injuries and migraines. In some cases, there is no clear cause.
People being treated for sleepwalking may be asked to spend a night in a sleep clinic so they can be observed. Data on brain function during sleep will be collected and used to see what is happening in the patient’s mind before and during the sleepwalking episodes. The link to other parasomies may play a role, and patients will be watched for signs of other sleep problems while in the sleep clinic. A basic blood test may also be done to check for signs of thyroid problems and other problems.
If none of these measures reveal an underlying cause, other risk factors for sleepwalking in adults may be considered. The patient will be interviewed for lifestyle factors such as stress and drug use. A doctor can also look into mental health conditions. While not usually a cause of sleepwalking in adults, if left untreated, they can contribute to stress levels and may involve coping behaviors such as drinking, causing the patient to develop sleep disturbances.
Sleepwalking management options in adults are varied. Sometimes the cause can be addressed and the patient will experience normal sleep patterns following treatment. For other patients, medications may be required. Patients who pose a danger may need to be restrained and family members may be instructed to supervise them while they sleep for safety reasons. Once sleepwalking develops in adults, it can be very persistent and may take some time to eradicate. For some patients, the best treatment option may be learning to live with occasional bouts of sleep wandering, with basic safety precautions implemented to reduce the risk of injury.
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