Does anyone know what I should do for sleepwalking?

Question

I don't know what to do. My parents told me I have been doing this a lot recently. I am afraid to go to sleep. A few nights ago I made it downstairs and woke up on the couch. I am afraid I could fall down the stairs or something. I have never heard of any sleepwalking like this before. Does anyone know what to do?

Answer 1

Hello,

You don't state your age, which could make a difference. Overall, sleepwalking is more common in children than adults, but can occur at any age. You needn't be afraid to go to sleep. When you're "sleep" walking, you're not really asleep, since if you were, your body would essentially be paralyzed so you can't injure yourself in your dreams. When you're sleepwalking, you're in an altered state of consciousness, not truly asleep, but not truly awake and fully alert. That's why most people who sleepwalk don't (or very rarely) suffer any serious injuries from this activity - your brain won't let your body do something harmful to itself when it's in control of the situation. What you call sleepwalking could simply be not remembering when you were awake. You say you went downstairs and woke up on the couch. Maybe your bed was uncomfortable, so you woke up enough to go downstairs and lie on the couch, then quickly went to sleep. So, just like most of our dreams, you don't remember doing it the next morning. Our brain is actually more active during sleep than when we're awake. We wake up when our ears pick up an unusual sound or noise in the house or from outside, but not the usual night sounds we've become accustomed to. That's because our brain is always on the alert for possible threats of harm or danger.
For many people, sleepwalking can be a sign of psychological or emotional stress, anxiety, or an unconscious desire to get away from something or to look for something. If that rings true for you, I would suggest you first see your primary care doctor for a complete physical exam including necessary blood work and other tests, possibly including a sleep study. Sleepwalking can also be a symptom of various sleep disorders, or poor sleep hygiene. If your doctor can't find a physical basis, and you're not on any medications, drugs, etc., which could interfere with a normal sleep cycle, a good counselor could be of great benefit. One thing you could learn is what I mentioned earlier, good sleep hygiene. This includes establishing a routine sleep schedule, avoiding eating large amounts or food or strenuous exercise before bedtime, using the bed only for sleep or sex, getting up and redirecting your mind to something relaxing if you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes of retiring for the night, relaxation and stress management skills, etc. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

Symptom Relief

Back when he went to medical school, Dr. Mahowald was taught that if sleepwalkers persisted in their nocturnal nomadism through adolescence and into adulthood, a strong likelihood of a psychiatric disorder existed. "That's just flat out not true," he says. "That's a myth that continues to be promulgated. A majority of the medical profession, however, still has that attitude."

So now that you know that you don't have a psycho in the house, how do your deal with a family member doing the 2:00 a.m. two-step?

Don't wake them up. No, not because they'll go crazy or get lockjaw or because the soul will be trapped out of the body—all of these beliefs were prevalent in the past—but because there's no reason to rouse them. "If you wake them, which could be difficult to do, they'll be startled and won't know what's going on," says Neil B. Kavey, M.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. "Why disorient someone?" he says. Just guide your sleepwalker safely and gently back to bed.

Take a chance on a trance. "Hypnosis is a wonderful treatment for this," says Paul Gouin, M.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Ingham Medical Center in Lansing, Michigan. A few visits to a hypnotherapist should convince your subconscious mind that when you're asleep, your body should rest.

Reassure the roamer. Because of the misconception that sleepwalkers have psychological problems, Dr. Mahowald says, "a majority just need assurance that nothing is really wrong with them. That's the most important thing."

Ask about medication. If sleepwalking persists or presents problems or hazards, physicians sometimes prescribe medication. "We're loath to do so, though, because we're predominantly talking about children," Dr. Mahowald says. Behavioral therapies are often effective and frequently preferable

Answer 3

My sister in law has a major sleepwalking problem. She went down the stairs and got in the car ready to drive away and she was naked! She had some serious issues she was dealing with and was very stressed out. Often stress can cause it or make it worse. People sometimes get hurt but you'd be amazed what people can do in their sleep and never get hurt. There was a story on the news about a girl who climbed a water tower in her sleep and was found sleeping at the top but that is very uncommon. Go to a sleep clinic and make sure you're not having sleep disturbances but definitely talk to you doctor.

Answer 4

Definitions of Sleepwalking:
Walking by a person who is asleep


▲TopWhat causes Sleepwalking?
Some of the possible causes of Sleepwalking include:
Alcohol consumption
Sleep debt
Sleep deprivation
Read more about causes of Sleepwalking

More detailed information about the causes of Sleepwalking can be found on our causes page including:

What are the possible underlying conditions of Sleepwalking?

Underlying medical conditions are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Sleepwalking. The following information on underlying conditions should also be considered:



List of Underlying conditions of Sleepwalking

For general information about Sleepwalking see our basic information pages.

▲TopWhat are the symptoms of Sleepwalking:
Some of the symptoms of Sleepwalking incude:

Walking during sleep
Tiredness
Waking in a place different to where a person went to sleep

Read more about symptoms of Sleepwalking
You may also want to research other symptoms in our Symptoms Center.


▲TopWhat treatments are available for Sleepwalking:

Treatments for Sleepwalking include:
Don't wake the person - some sources advise not to wake the sleepwalker.
Wake the person gently - some sources advise waking and call the other advice a "myth".
Ensure they do not hurt themselves
Take child back to bed once awake
Hypnotherapy

Answer 5

The following measures can be taken by a person who has a sleepwalking disorder:



Get adequate sleep.


Meditate or do relaxation exercises.


Avoid any kind of stimuli (auditory or visual) prior to bedtime.


Keep a safe sleeping environment, free of harmful or sharp objects.


Sleep in a bedroom on the ground floor if possible.


Lock the doors and windows.


Remove obstacles in the room.


Cover glass windows with heavy drapes.


Place an alarm or bell on the bedroom door.

Answer 6

It sounds like you're having troubles sleeping. Anxious is what i'd call it. Try getting some dried lavender and placing it in a small sack under your pillow. Drink some hot tea before you go to bed and just try to calm yourself. I think that once you get out of the habbit you may stop sleep walking.

Answer 7

sleepwalking is very common for some people. it is often common in family members.
i don't know how to stop it, but i have woke up after answering the door.

Answer 8

I think you could go to a sleep clinic at the doctors office where you sleep overnight at the hospital and they run tests and stuff like that just call your doctor and ask for the sleep clinic. hope that helps!!!!

Answer 9

I have no idea, but next time, could you go by McDonalds and pick me up a quarter pounder with cheese, and drop it off here? Thanks, I appreciate it. P.S. Don't forget the fries.