How come people sleepwalk?

Question

What causes sleepwalking?
How do you stop it?

Answer 1

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a common arousal disorder that is especially prevalent among children. Sleepwalkers (somnambulists) are aroused out of their deep sleep during motor activity, which usually includes, but is not limited to, walking. A sleepwalker can go back to sleep some place other than bed, depending on how far he or she has walked. Sleepwalkers are usually unaware of their activity. Some cases of autonomic (independently functioning) behavior that occur with sleepwalking involve dressing and even eating. What causes sleepwalking is not known, though most people have sleepwalked on at least one occasion. Sleepwalking poses no serious health threat to those who experience it, although the risk of injury, however minor, is a matter of concern. Injury prevention is the primary objective of sleepwalking management.

Sleepwalking is currently being reevaluated in a social and legal context, where the criminal actions of sleepwalkers in certain cases are being judged.

Incidence
Sleepwalking affects approximately 1% to 17% of children and is more frequently seen in boys. The incidence of sleepwalking decreases with age. Although the exact prevalence of sleepwalking in adults is not known, it is estimated to be as high as 10%. The cause for decreased incidence in adults is also not known. Evidence from casework and published sleep diaries indicates that sleepwalkers often feel they are alone with their condition. This is not the case.


Current Research on Sleepwalking
Currently, there is nonspecific medical evidence that suggests that there may be psychiatric issues involved in sleepwalking and that the actions of sleepwalkers in certain cases may not be autonomous and need to be reevaluated.

For example, in Britain, a man actually killed someone while sleepwalking. The issue is whether or not to acquit the defendant on the basis of autonomic actions or to find him insane and, therefore, release him to treatment for mental illness. Subsequently, there is controversy surrounding an individual’s right to plead insanity in cases like this, which complicates our perspective of agency in sleepwalking behavior. Sleepwalking is not currently defined or treated as a mental illness.

Future research may involve the development of a medical-legal definition of sleepwalking. Of course, cases like this are rare, but the media coverage of it is greatly responsible for public recognition of sleepwalking.

Answer 2

Years ago,I used to sleepwalk when there was Pepsi in the refrigerator and I would drink one in my sleep. So stopped buying Pepsi for awhile and it never happened again. I did eventually start buying Pepsi again (it goes on sale cheap) but never had any further sleepwalking problems. Must had been a '70s thing.

Answer 3

I think it is something that peoples body does if your going through alot of stress. some people do it becase it is heredity and some because what has been going on in there lives. sleep walking can be cured by trying to figure out the reason for it and then solving it, or you could try to stop the person in the act and if you continue to do this it may help.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I'd be running for the door myself. He's obviously a cross dresser and made up the whole sleepwalking thing. If you're cool with that great, if not, I'd be moving on.

Answer 5

Sleep walking and talking are two of the commonest forms of sleep disorders.

Answer 6

There are some psychological reasons and they can be treated on the merit of the idividual case.