Sleepwalking
Definition
Sleepwalking is a type of sleep disorder known as a parasomnia. This happens when a person partially awakens during the night, walks, or does other complex behaviors while still technically asleep.
Causes
Some causes of sleepwalking include:
- Genetic
- Stress
- Magnesium deficiency
- Sleep deprivation
- Febrile illnesses
- Certain medications (eg, antidepressants, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, antihistamines)
- Medical illness (such as, migraine, asthma, arrhythmia, heartburn, sleep apnea)
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of walking in your sleep. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- Being a child (most common in preschool to preadolescence)
- Having hyperthyroidism
- Having a psychiatric disorders (eg, panic attack, post-traumatic stress syndrome)
- Being sleep deprived
- Having sleep apnea
- Wetting the bed (in children)
- Taking certain medications
Hyperthyroidism
Symptoms
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume they are due to sleepwalking. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor:
- Walking during deep sleep
- Sitting up in bed and repeating certain movements (eg, rubbing eyes, fumbling with clothes)
- Talking in your sleep
- Difficulty arousing during a sleepwalking episode
- Doing inappropriate behavior during a sleepwalking episode (eg, urinating in closets)
- Screaming during sleepwalking episodes
- Becoming violent when a person tries to wake you
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam. You will be asked about your:
- Family history
- Fatigue
- Medication
- Underlying illness or stress
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist. You may need to have a sleep study done.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
Prevention
To help reduce the chances of sleepwalking, take the following steps:
- Increase the amount of time scheduled for sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and certain medications that may trigger sleepwalking.
- Have a regular bedtime routine.
American Academy of Family Physicians
National Sleep Foundation
About Kids Health
Better Sleep Council Canada
Guilleminault C, Kirisoglu C, Bao, G, et al. Adult chronic sleepwalking and its treatment based on polysomnography. Brain. 2005; 128:1062-1069.
Guilleminault C, Palombini L, Pelayo R, Chervin RD. Sleepwalking and sleep terrors in prepubertal children: what triggers them?. Pediatrics. 2003;111:17-25.
Hafeez ZH, Kalinowski CM. Somnambulism induced by quitapine: two case reports and a review of the literature. CNS Spectrums. 2007;12:910-912.
Pressman MR. Factors that predispose, prime and precipitate NREM parasomnias in adults: clinical and forensic implications. Sleep Med Rev. 2007:11:5-30
Sleepwalking. National Sleep Foundation website. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeptionary/index.php?id=22&subsection=basics. Accessed Accessed September 26, 2006.
Sleepwalking in children. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/160.xml. Accessed September 26, 2006.
Last reviewed September 2011 by Marjorie Bunch, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
