Overview of Somnambulism
A person having difficulty sleeping may suffer from one or many forms of sleeping disorders. Types of parasomnia (abnormal sleeping patterns) are numerous, each with its own specialized treatment. One type of parasomnia is sleepwalking. Sleepwalking, also called somnambulism (literally walking while asleep), is often seen among children, but can occur in people of all ages. By some estimates, up to 15% of Americans (1 in 7 people) may experience somnambulism at some point in their lives.
A person may walk while they are asleep, or engage in other behaviors, such as sitting up in bed, talking while asleep, getting dressed, or even leaving the house.
Sleepwalking and its related behaviors may result in safety-related concerns.
Symptoms of Somnambulism
Although sleepwalking means walking while asleep, it can also indicate a range of behaviors of a sleeping person, including:
- Sitting up in bed with eyes appearing open
- Getting dressed
- Moving around the house, or even leaving the home
The person may appear awake (have their eyes open), but will actually be asleep. In addition, the person may not have any memory of the event upon waking. The sleepwalking event may last a few seconds or 30 minutes or longer.
Causes of Somnambulism
Sleeping disorders, such as sleepwalking, may be a result of a variety of factors, such as:
- Sleep Deprivation
- Alcohol or caffeine use
- Sleep disruption due to a specific sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea (link)
- Genetics
If the causes are related to an underlying disease, your doctor will work with you to treat the disease. You may undergo a full sleep study to help better understand and treat the sleepwalking.
Although sleepwalking may not be the result of either a psychological or other medical cause, talk to your doctor if sleepwalking persists or presents a danger to you or to others.
Diagnosis of Somnambulism
Once a patient becomes aware of a problem with sleepwalking, the doctor can help manage the sleeping disorder. Based upon the underlying cause of sleepwalking, your doctor may recommend treatment accordingly. You will undergo a full history and physical. Your doctor may also recommend a sleep study to better understand the reasons for and severity of the parasomnia.
Complications of Somnambulism
If left untreated, the person may suffer from injuries related to the sleepwalking, and suffer from daytime fatigue or sleepiness.