Parasomnias are sleep disorders that cause abnormal or disruptive behaviors or movements. Sleepwalking is one of these disorders that is most well-known. It is also known as somnambulism. Sleepwalking is when a person doesn’t sleep soundly. Instead, they get up and walk around, sometimes unlocking doors or driving cars. Although they appear awake, they are actually asleep while they do these activities. According to studies, between 1 and 15 percent of people are affected by sleepwalking. Both children and adults can sleepwalk. However, it is more common in the children.
It is important to understand why some people don’t stay in their beds while they sleep. Sleepwalking is stage N3 of nonrapid eye movement, or NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. NREM sleep is different from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This stage is where people can dream. NREM stage N3 is the most deep. The comfort of one’s mattress is not what causes sleepwalking. It is not known why this happens. However, some researchers think it may be caused by the brain trying to transition from NREM to awake.
Some people may also experience sleepwalking due to other conditions. This includes the use of alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, and medications that are used to treat psychiatric disorders. Depression, which is thought to raise the risk of somnambulism by 3.5 percent, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which can make someone as vulnerable as four times as likely to become somnambulists. Other causes include abnormal sleep breathing patterns and gastroesophageal reflux diseases, restless leg syndrome, stress and fever. People who have had at least one parent suffer from sleepwalking are more likely to experience it. An increased risk could also be caused by sleep deprivation or sleep apnea.
Sleepwalkers may experience multiple episodes per month.
They may sustain minor or severe injuries while moving around during these episodes. They may also be at risk of injury if they go out of the house. Stairs can be dangerous inside the home. They can also make it unsafe to engage in dangerous activities, like handling sharp objects.
It is crucial that people who first begin to sleepwalk see their doctor. The doctor can diagnose any illness that could be causing the sleepwalking. Although there are many ways to treat sleepwalking, it is not always necessary unless the behavior is persistent or disruptive or if one’s unconscious behavior indicates an increased risk of injury. Children who sleepwalk often stop doing it by the time they reach teenager age.
The doctor will help you determine whether treatment is needed and which approach is most effective. The first step is to address the underlying cause. You may need to switch or start medication. Self-hypnosis and waking up someone who sleepwalks regularly 15 minutes before the episode starts may be other options. Anticipatory waking is a condition that requires the person to remain awake for at least 15 minutes before he or she can go back to sleep. It may be helpful to reduce stress and establish a routine that allows for enough sleep.
