Sleepwalking is a parasomnia sleep disorder where a person has repeated episodes of motor activity during sleep, usually in the first third of the night. It can be triggered by genetics, stress, fever, hormonal changes, medications, and medical conditions. Sleepwalkers are at risk of injury and treatment is not usually necessary.
A sleepwalking disorder, also called sleepwalking, is diagnosed by a doctor or mental health professional. It describes a sleep disorder in the family of parasomnia, in which a person has repeated episodes of motor activity during sleep. This motor activity generally manifests itself as sitting up in bed and getting up and walking around in an unconscious state.
A person usually appears awake while sleepwalking, with eyes open, but is unresponsive and is assumed to be asleep. Sleepwalking occurs during the deepest stage of sleep, usually in the first third of the night. A single episode of sleepwalking disorder can last anywhere from 30 seconds to an hour. On average, sleepwalking lasts 5 to 15 minutes. A sleepwalking disorder is associated with incoherent talking, sometimes mumbling or using real words in a nonsense order. Once awake, the sleepwalker usually does not remember the episode.
There are a few different factors that can increase the likelihood of developing sleepwalking disorder. Genetics are thought to play a role in sleepwalking, meaning it tends to run in families. Stress is another factor that can increase the chances of sleepwalking. Significant life changes such as divorce, marriage, or the death of a loved one all increase instances of stress-related sleepwalking.
Fever or illnesses affecting the nervous system can trigger sleepwalking. Alcohol use and sleep deprivation also increase the chances of sleepwalking. It can also be caused by hormonal changes. Pregnancy, puberty, and menstruation are some hormonal changes that could lead to sleepwalking. Certain medications, such as sedatives, neuroleptics, and antihistamines, can also increase your chances of developing sleepwalking disorder.
A sleepwalking disorder is symptomatic of some medical conditions. Nocturnal asthma, nocturnal seizures, and sleep apnea can be triggers. Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms can also cause sleepwalking. It can occur due to PTSD, panic disorder, and dissociative disorders, as well as other psychiatric disorders.
The risks of sleepwalking mainly revolve around the sleepwalker getting injured. Sleepwalkers are unaware of their surroundings despite the fact that they can usually navigate familiar places, such as their home. Some sleepwalkers repeatedly attempt to escape in their sleep. This can be very dangerous if they try to climb out of windows or walk in busy streets.
A sleepwalking disorder does not usually require any treatment. Sleepwalking usually has no adverse consequences that require treatment, except for occasional injuries from loss of balance. Injuries can be prevented by ensuring the environment is safe and by removing tripping hazards from the floor. Sometimes short-acting tranquilizers can help reduce sleepwalking episodes.
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