Eleven-year-old Cait was trying to fall asleep when her
8-year-old brother, Doug, came into her room. He looked around a
bit, but seemed really out of it.
Then Doug went back into the hallway and stood there staring up
at the hall light.
Little brothers can be weird, but this was really strange. Cait
didn't know what to do. Just then, Cait's father appeared
and explained that Doug was sleepwalking.
What Is Sleepwalking?
Not all
sleep
is the same every night. We experience some deep, quiet sleep and
some active sleep, which is when dreams happen. You might think
sleepwalking would happen during active sleep, but a person
isn't physically active during active sleep. Sleepwalking
usually happens in the first few hours of sleep in the stage called
slow-wave or deep sleep.
Not all sleepwalkers actually walk. Some simply sit up or stand
in bed or act like they're awake (but dazed) when, in fact,
they're asleep! Most, however, do get up and move around for a
few seconds or for as long as half an hour.
Sleepwalkers' eyes are open, but they don't see the same
way they do when they're awake and often think they're in
different rooms of the house or different places altogether.
Sleepwalkers tend to go back to bed on their own and they won't
remember it in the morning.
Researchers estimate that up to 15% of kids sleepwalk
regularly. Sleepwalking may run in families and sometimes occurs
when a person is sick, has a fever, is not getting enough sleep, or
is stressed.
Is Sleepwalking a Serious Problem?
If sleepwalking occurs frequently, every night or so, it's a
good idea for your mom or dad to take you to see your doctor. But
occasional sleepwalking generally isn't something to worry
about, although it may look funny or even scary for the people who
see a sleepwalker in action.
Although occasional sleepwalking isn't a big deal, it's
important, of course, that the person is kept safe. Precautions
should be taken so the person is less likely to fall down, run into
something, or walk out the front door while sleepwalking.
What Will the Doctor Do?
There's no cure for sleepwalking, but the doctor can talk to
you about what's happening and try to find ways to help you
sleep more soundly. Most kids just grow out of sleepwalking.
For kids who sleepwalk often, doctors may recommend a treatment
called scheduled awakening. This disrupts the sleep cycle enough to
help stop sleepwalking. In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe
medication to help someone sleep.
Here are some tips to help prevent sleepwalking:
- Relax at bedtime by listening to soft music or relaxation
tapes.
- Have a regular sleep schedule and stick to it.
- Keep noise and lights to a minimum while you're trying to
sleep.
- Avoid drinking a lot in the evening and be sure to go to the
bathroom before going to bed. (A full bladder can contribute to
sleepwalking.)
How Do I Take Care of a Sleepwalker?
One thing you can do to help is to clear rooms and hallways of
furniture or obstacles a sleepwalker might encounter during the
night. If there are stairs or dangerous areas, a grown-up should
close doors and windows or install safety gates.
You also might have heard that sleepwalkers can get confused
and scared if you startle them into being awake. That's
true, so what do you do if you see someone sleepwalking? You should
call for a grown-up who can gently steer the person back to bed.
And once the sleepwalker is tucked back in bed, it's time for
you to get some shut-eye, too!
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2008
Originally reviewed by:
Michael H. Goodman, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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