Sleepwalking: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder classified under what is known as parasomnias, in which a person during deep sleep performs complex behaviors such as getting out of bed, walking, and wandering, and sometimes talking, dressing, or doing usual activities, while in a very low state of awareness and not remembering what happened upon waking.

Sleepwalking usually occurs in the first third of the night during the deep-sleep stage, is much more common in children than adults, and often resolves on its own with age. It is important to reassure parents that in most cases it does not indicate a psychological or neurological problem; rather, its episodes may be linked to factors such as lack of sleep, exhaustion, fever, stress, and irregular sleep times, and sometimes a similar family history or other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

The most important thing in dealing with sleepwalking is safety, because its main danger is the person being injured while wandering (falling, colliding, leaving the house). It is therefore advised to secure the sleep environment: locking doors and windows, removing sharp and dangerous objects, and avoiding raised beds. Waking the person abruptly during an episode is not advised; instead, gently guide them back to bed. Prevention through regular, adequate sleep and stress management helps reduce episodes. Seeing a doctor is advised if episodes recur frequently, are accompanied by dangerous behavior, persist into adulthood, or affect the family's sleep and safety.

• Getting out of bed and walking while asleep.
• A glassy stare and unresponsiveness or low awareness.
• Sometimes unintelligible speech or performing usual activities.
• Not remembering the episode upon waking.

• It occurs during deep sleep (a parasomnia).
• Triggers: lack of sleep, exhaustion, fever, stress, irregular sleep.
• A similar family history.
• Sometimes other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

• Clinical diagnosis from the description of episodes and their timing.
• Assessing triggers and sleep habits.
• A sleep study when another sleep disorder is suspected or in severe cases.

Safety first

• Securing the sleep environment: locking doors and windows, removing dangerous objects, avoiding raised beds.
• Gently guiding the person back to bed without waking them abruptly.

Reducing episodes

• Regular, adequate sleep, stress management, and treating triggers.
• Medication in rare severe or dangerous cases as determined by the doctor.

This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• Injuries during an episode (falling, colliding, leaving the house).
• Disturbed sleep for the person and family.
• Embarrassment and anxiety, especially in adults.

• Getting regular, adequate sleep and avoiding exhaustion.
• Managing stress and a calm sleep routine.
• Securing the sleep environment to prevent injuries.
• Treating accompanying sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.