What Is Sleepwalking and Why Does It Happen?

What is sleepwalking? It’s a question that many often ask. Read this article to learn its underlying causes, symptoms, and possible treatment options.

Picture this: You wake up in the dead of night to find yourself aimlessly wandering your home, oblivious to your surroundings. If this sounds familiar, you might have experienced sleepwalking, a fascinating yet sometimes worrisome sleep disorder.

Besides the above, this blog post will explore whether or not you should wake a sleepwalker, when to seek medical advice for sleepwalking and more.

Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a parasomnia wherein you walk or perform other activities while asleep.

• Sleepwalking can happen at any age, but it’s more common in children.

• There are several causes of sleepwalking, including lack of sleep and stress anxiety.

• It’s a myth that waking a sleepwalker can cause them lasting trauma or harm, but there’s a right way of doing it.

• There are several ways to stop or minimize sleepwalking episodes, including certain types of therapies and good sleep hygiene.

• Consult a healthcare professional when your sleepwalking becomes recurrent and severe.

Table of Contents

• What Is Sleepwalking? (Somnambulism Explained)

• What Are Common Symptoms of Sleepwalking?

• What Causes Sleepwalking?

• Should You Wake a Sleepwalker? How Do You Do It Safely?

• How Do You Stop Sleepwalking?

• When Do You Seek Medical Help for Sleepwalking?

• Conclusion

What Is Sleepwalking? (Somnambulism Explained)

Also known as somnambulism, sleepwalking is a sleep disorder wherein you walk or perform other actions while still asleep. During these episodes, it might seem you’re still awake to others. Your eyes are open with “seemingly” apparent awareness of your environment. In reality, you’re not fully awake.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Sleepwalking usually occurs early in the night — often 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep. It isn't likely to happen during naps, but it is possible. A bout of sleepwalking can occur rarely or often. A bout generally lasts several minutes, but it can last longer.⁽¹⁾”

Sleepwalking can involve activities like walking and, rarely, something more complex, such as preparing food, driving (Scary, right?), or even having conversations. You’ll have minimal to no recollection of what happened the next day.

What Are Common Symptoms of Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking episodes differ in intensity, but here are the most common symptoms:

• Sitting up in bed looking like you’re awake with glazed eyes or a blank expression

• Walking inside and outside the house

• Cooking, cleaning, or getting dressed without being aware of your actions

• Speaking unintelligibly or mumbling

• Being confused or disoriented after waking up

• Difficulty getting out of bed or responding to others

• Feeling tired or groggy the next day, with little to no memory of the episode

• Having night terrors (not to be confused with nightmares) wherein you scream and thrash your limbs while asleep

Remember that sleepwalking can cause harm or accidents when the sleepwalker comes across obstacles or hazardous situations in their surroundings.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is a condition that can arise from various triggers.

Sleepwalking is often seen in families, indicating that genetics can play a role. A study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that “there are substantial genetic effects in sleepwalking in both childhood and adulthood.⁽²⁾”

Sleep deprivation can increase the risks of sleepwalking episodes. The Sleep Foundation explains, "A lack of sleep has been correlated with an elevated risk of sleepwalking, which may be due to more time spent in deep sleep after a period of sleep deprivation.⁽³⁾”

Stress and anxiety have also been identified as sleepwalking triggers, as they can disrupt sleep patterns. Cleveland Clinic states that “Research links anxiety, stress, childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to an increased risk of sleepwalking.⁽⁴⁾”

Another potential cause of somnambulism is certain medications, including sedatives and anti-depressants. Furthermore, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “Medications that trigger sleepwalking may inadvertently put the patient at risk of injury to themselves and/or others, and contribute to poor treatment adherence.⁽⁵⁾”

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome can trigger sleepwalking incidents. Sleep Education says that “Sleepwalking can occur when sleep is fragmented by other sleeping problems. Sleep apnea is a common medical problem that can lead to frequent arousals from sleep. This may increase the risk of parasomnias such as sleepwalking.⁽⁶⁾”

Fever and other illnesses occasionally lead to sleepwalking episodes, especially in kids. “Sleepwalking can increase if the room is hot, the child has a fever or if the child has some inflammation,” according to the Children’s Hospital Colorado⁽⁷⁾.

What Causes Sleepwalking in Children?

Sleepwalking is quite common in kids, with up to 15% of children having at least 1 sleepwalking incident per year. This parasomnia is observed more often in children than in adults, typically happening between ages 4 and 8.

Although the causes of sleepwalking in kids aren’t always easily identified, several factors we mentioned above play a role:

• Genetics

• Sleep Deprivation

• Fever or Illness

• Stress or Anxiety

• Sleep Disorders

Note that sleepwalking in kids is generally considered normal. The problem is it may endanger them by increasing their risk of accidents. That’s why it's crucial to consult their pediatrician for safety measures and to examine any root causes causing them to sleepwalk.

What Causes Sleepwalking in Adults?

Okay, so now we’ll move to sleepwalking in adults. Beyond the most common causes mentioned earlier, this particular one is unique to grown-ups.

While the jury is still out on this one, some believe that excessive drinking increases the risk of sleepwalking episodes. More Than Rehab states that “While there is no direct experimental evidence that alcohol predisposes one to sleepwalk, some literature indicates that it can trigger sleepwalking or increase its risk by increasing the quantity of slow-wave sleep (SWS).⁽⁸⁾”

If you frequently experience sleepwalking, get the advice of a healthcare provider. Somnambulism can lead to accidents and injuries. You must determine and manage any root causes or contributing factors.

Should You Wake a Sleepwalker? How Do You Do It Safely?

It’s a pretty common misconception that you should never wake a sleepwalker. Truth is, it isn’t. However, there’s a right way of doing so to prevent them from being confused, disoriented and even aggressive.

The whole point of waking a sleepwalker is to stop them from inadvertently getting injured. They could walk into a wall or hop into a car while in a semi-conscious state. It’s also important to note that waking them won’t cause lasting harm or trauma.

The best thing to do is speak to them in a calm and reassuring voice while gently guiding them back to bed. They might not be as cooperative as they seem. The bottom line is you need to exercise caution.

Baptist Health recommends that you shouldn’t touch or shake them. Instead, “make loud, sharp noises from a safe distance. You should then expect them to be confused and possibly scared, so explaining what’s happened and providing reassurance as you encourage them to return to their bed can be helpful.⁽⁹⁾”

How Do You Stop Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking isn’t generally a serious condition, yet it can be dangerous. If you or someone you know is experiencing frequent sleepwalking episodes. Some tips and treatments might help. Let’s explore them in detail.

First, prioritize your sleep hygiene because high-quality zzzs lessen the likelihood of sleepwalking. It involves establishing and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule for one. Another is to create a bedtime routine with relaxing activities like a warm bath or light reading. You must also ensure your bedroom is a sleep-friendly space: quiet, cool and dark. (If you live in an area with a lot of light pollution, a 100% blackout sleep mask can do wonders.)

Find ways to manage stress and anxiety. There are a couple of stress-management techniques you can try. Examples are meditation, yoga nidra, deep breathing and gentle stretching. These can lower stress and anxiety levels, promoting better sleep.

You already know that alcohol and certain medications are linked to sleepwalking. Either limit or stop drinking alcohol altogether. Some medicines can’t be avoided, especially if you have an existing health condition. Speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing frequent sleepwalking episodes.

If you or a loved one often sleepwalk, consider safety measures. These can involve installing gates and warning systems and ensuring that doors and windows are locked to prevent accidents and injuries.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another way of treating somnambulism. Your doctor may recommend this to help address underlying psychological factors that might be causing you to sleepwalk.

Hypnotherapy is another option. Like CBT, it may address the underlying causes and promote better sleep. Psychology Today says, “In small-scale studies conducted by researchers such as Peter Hauri, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic, results have shown that properly screened sleep walking patients can experience significant improvement with the use of clinical hypnosis.⁽¹⁰⁾”

Your doctor might recommend medication to normalize sleep cycles in more severe cases. It may lessen your sleepwalking episodes.

When Do You Seek Medical Help for Sleepwalking?

So, when do you know when it's time to consult a healthcare professional? Here are the signs:

• If your sleepwalking episodes happen too often or become severe

• If your sleepwalking episodes lead to injuries or risky behavior

• If other conditions like sleep apnea, night terrors or sleep paralysis accompany sleepwalking

• If your sleepwalking episodes persist despite lifestyle changes

Remember that medical professionals can evaluate and determine the root causes of sleepwalking. They can suggest the proper treatment to manage your episodes. So, don’t be afraid to seek help.

Conclusion

We’re pretty sure you’ll agree that somnambulism is a fascinating disorder. But more importantly, it has the potential to be dangerous. We hope this blog post addressed your question: What is sleepwalking? And that it gives you (or someone close to you) the information you need to manage this condition better.

Knowing the triggers, symptoms, and potential remedies for sleepwalking lets you effectively address this condition. We’ll say it once and again: Consult a healthcare professional if your episodes become recurrent, intense, or are accompanied by other health issues.

Did this article help you? Drop a comment below if it did!

Sources:  

(1) "Sleepwalking.” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking/symptoms-causes/syc-20353506. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(2) “Prevalence and genetics of sleepwalking: a population-based twin study.” National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9008515/. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(3) “Sleepwalking: What Is Somnambulism?” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleepwalking. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(4) “Sleepwalking.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14292-sleepwalking. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(5) “Medication induced sleepwalking: A systematic review.” National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28363449/. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(6) “Sleepwalking.” Sleep Education, sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders/sleepwalking/. Accessed 27 August 2024.

(7) “Sleepwalking.” Children’s Hospital Colorado, www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/conditions/sleepwalking/. Accessed 28 August 2024.

(8) “Does Alcohol Addiction Lead To Dangerous Sleepwalking?” More Than Rehab, morethanrehab.com/2022/05/24/does-alcohol-addiction-lead-to-dangerous-sleepwalking/. Accessed 28 August 2024.

(9) “How to Safely Wake a Sleepwalker” Baptist Health, www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/how-to-safely-wake-a-sleepwalker. Accessed 28 August 2024.

(10) “Hypnosis for Sleep Walking?” Psychology Today, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleepless-in-america/200901/hypnosis-sleep-walking. Accessed 28 August 2024.

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