People walking in their sleep are not awake.
Somnambulism or sleepwalking commonly occurs in children 4 to 8 -- although it can happen at any age. Some people sit straight up in bed, mumble a few words and lie back down and return to sleeping a position. Others walk outside or eat an entire meal. Sleepwalking tends to run in families. If you were a sleepwalker, don't be surprised if your daughter follows in your "shoes."
Symptoms of Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking occurs early on in the sleep cycle.
Sleepwalkers walk or move about during sleep. People who sleepwalk do so with their eyes open. They are often staring with a glazed look in their eyes. They may speak to you if questioned but often their speech is slow and incoherent. In the morning sleepwalkers usually do not remember walking in their sleep. They are extremely difficult to arouse during an episode. A typical sleepwalking episode lasts one to 30 minutes and usually occurs one to two hours after falling asleep.
Sleepwalking in Children
Most children who sleepwalk don't have health problems.
First and foremost is safety. Keep any objects that your child can get hurt on out of her reach. Lock the doors and windows as this will deter your child if she tries to get outside. Persistent sleepwalkers who attempt to escape may have to sleep on the ground level of the home to avoid life threatening injuries. Avoid waking your child while she is sleep walking -- this can be extremely frightening to your child. Children who sleepwalk generally are in good health and outgrow the problem. If the sleepwalking persists for an extended period of time, talk to your doctor about possible treatments.
Causes of Sleepwalking
The origin of sleepwalking in children is unknown but may be caused by being overtired, anxious or sleep deprived. Sleepwalking in adults can be a reaction to drugs or alcohol. Other causes include a mental disorder or a medical condition such as partial complex seizures. Sleepwalking in the elderly may be a symptom of REM behavior disorder or an organic brain syndrome, which refers to diseases other than psychiatric disorders that cause decreased mental function.
Contacting a Medical Professional
Sleepwalking will often abate on its own. If you have other symptoms reducing the quality of your sleep, see your doctor. Contact your health care professional if sleepwalking is persistent and frequent. Also see your doctor if you find yourself doing things such as walking down the street, awaking in strange places or driving a car. These can be life-threatening.
Prevention
Avoid alcohol or other central nervous system depressants if you sleepwalk. Try to avoid becoming overtired and, if possible, take steps to prevent insomnia. Minimize the stress, anxiety and conflict in your life as much as possible as these can trigger sleepwalking episodes.
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