Sleepwalking is a disorder in which the sufferer walks or otherwise acts while still dreaming. Somnambulism is another name for sleepwalking. It’s a form of parasomnia. Parasomnia refers to a sleep disorder in which abnormal occurrences occur while one is asleep.
Sleepwalking is more common in the early stages of sleep when deep sleep is occurring. A small percentage of sleepwalkers really move around while dreaming. Some people appear to be awake (though groggy) in bed while actually sleeping. However, the vast majority of people do stand up and walk around every few minutes.
Their eyes are open while sleepwalking, but they don’t see the world in the same manner that they do while fully awake. Sometimes they’ll even assume they’re at a totally different location. People who sleepwalk often forget everything that happened while they were out and return to bed on their own.
Sleepwalking can occur when a person is unwell, has a fever, doesn’t get enough sleep, or is under a lot of stress, and it can also be a genetic trait.
Sleepwalking Symptoms
Some things a sleepwalker could do:
• Silently circle their bedroom.
• Run or try to “escape”
• Keep your eyes wide open and stare intently.
• Answer questions slowly or not at all
• No recollection of ever sleepwalking
• Have some shame if they happen to wake up in the middle of an episode
• Explaining the practice of sleepwalking
It is unclear what triggers sleepwalking, however, it appears to be genetic. If you or a close relative suffers from sleepwalking or night terrors, your risk of developing these conditions increases.
The following conditions can either bring on or exacerbate sleepwalking:
• sleep deprivation
• symptoms of stress and anxiety, including a rising temperature, are often accompanied by a case of the flu, especially in children.
• Some medications, such as sedatives, might cause you to wake up suddenly from a deep sleep state. Getting startled by a loud noise or touch can also have the same effect.
• Sleep problems including obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome can also bring on an episode of sleepwalking because they lead you to wake up frequently during the night.
Preventative measures, such as getting enough sleep and learning effective stress management techniques, are generally helpful.
Are Sleepwalking Disorders Real?
Parasomnias, which include sleepwalking, are a subset of sleep disorders. Parasomnias refer to conditions of sleep behavior. Parasomnias are characterized by abnormal behavior since they occur at a time when the individual is not fully asleep or fully awake.
You can classify the different types of parasomnias based on when they occur in the course of a typical night’s sleep. Sleepwalking occurs during NREM sleep, specifically in deep sleep (stage III of the sleep cycle). A disorder of arousal during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) sleep, which includes sleepwalking, sleep talking, confusional arousals, and sleep terrors.
How can sleepwalking be distinguished?
In children, sleepwalking is common. In most cases, medical attention is unnecessary. The best thing parents can do is keep a tight eye on their kids. Any adult who develops or maintains the habit of sleepwalking significantly increases his or her risk of physical harm. Consultation with a specialist in sleep medicine would be helpful here.
You may be asked to keep a sleep diary for two weeks by a specialist doctor. The doctor will be able to narrow down the possible causes of your symptoms with this information. A short questionnaire is available for you to use to assess your slumber. This will demonstrate how your lack of sleep is impacting your daily life. The doctor needs to know everything related to your health. Tell him about all the medications and drugs you’ve ever used.
You should also let the doctor know whether you’ve ever been diagnosed with other sleep disorders. A medical professional will investigate potential underlying causes or aggravating factors, such as:
• Another sleep disorder
• The presence of a health problem
• Use of Medications
• Some sort of mental illness
• Abuse of substances
Your sleep specialist may decide to conduct a sleep study to evaluate your sleeping habits. A sleep study often called a polysomnogram monitors your physiological functions as you snooze. It keeps a video log of your sleep habits and tracks your body’s movements while you’re sleeping. If you do anything out of the ordinary during your sleep study, such as getting out of bed, this will show.
How is sleepwalking treated?
Sometimes, the answer can be as easy as adjusting your sleeping habits. Among these methods are establishing a regular nighttime routine, ensuring that your bedroom is at a temperature that is neither too hot nor too chilly and reading a calming book before turning it in.
Hypnosis therapy has been successful in helping some persons who sleepwalk to quit doing it. It is helpful in detecting the root cause of the issue.
Medicines like antidepressants and sedative-hypnotics can be helpful in other situations. Seek advice from your physician regarding the best course of action.
Conclusion
Adult sleepwalking is more likely to be misdiagnosed as, or coexist with, another sleep problem or medical issue.
If obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or restless legs syndrome (RLS) is to blame for a person’s sleepwalking, then addressing that condition may stop the sleepwalking. Similarly, if the top psychiatrist in Lahore suspects that sedatives or another prescription are to blame for sleepwalking, he or she may advise adjusting the dosage or changing medications.
FAQs
1. What causes a person to begin sleepwalking?
The following conditions can either bring on or exacerbate sleepwalking: insufficient sleep time Tension and fretting. a viral illness that causes a high temperature, typically in children.
2. Can Sleepwalkers see where they are going?
Their eyes are open while sleepwalking, but they don’t see the world in the same manner that they do while fully awake. Sometimes they’ll even assume they’re at a totally different location.
3. Can Sleepwalkers unlock doors?
Certain sleepwalkers are capable of doing sophisticated actions, such as cooking, turning on the stereo, and unlocking doors, all while asleep.
