Sleepwalking is when someone walks or does complex activities while not fully awake.
Most sleepwalking happens during deep sleep. Deep sleep is a stage of sleep that usually happens in the first few hours after falling asleep.
Sleepwalking can start at any age but is more common in children. About 1 in 5 children will sleepwalk at least once. This means 4 in 5 will not. Most grow out of it by the time they reach puberty, but it can sometimes continue into adulthood.
Causes of sleepwalking
The exact cause of sleepwalking is unknown but it seems to run in families. You're more likely to sleepwalk if other members of your close family have episodes of sleepwalking or night terrors.
Some things can trigger sleepwalking or make it worse.
These include:
- not getting enough sleep
- stress and anxiety
- infection with a fever, especially in children
- drinking too much alcohol
- taking recreational drugs
- certain types of medicine, such as some sedatives
- being startled by a sudden noise or touch, causing sudden waking from deep sleep
- waking up suddenly from deep sleep because you need to go to the toilet
Other sleep disorders that can cause you to wake up suddenly during the night can also trigger sleepwalking. For example, restless legs syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Preventing some of these triggers often helps. For example, get enough sleep and try to reduce stress.
What happens when you sleepwalk
You may get out of bed and walk about, open cupboards, get dressed or eat. You may appear agitated.
In extreme cases, people can leave the house and do complex activities, such as drive a car.
Your eyes are usually open when you're sleepwalking. But you will look straight through people and not recognise them. You can often move well around familiar objects.
If someone talks to you while you're sleepwalking, you may answer or say things that do not make sense.
Most sleepwalking episodes last less than 10 minutes, but they can be longer. At the end of each episode, you may wake up, or return to bed and go to sleep.
You will not have any memory of it in the morning. Or you may have just a slight memory of it. If you're woken up while sleepwalking, you may feel confused and not remember what happened.
People who sleepwalk may also have other types of episodes that do not involve getting out of bed or walking.
These may include episodes of:
- sitting up in bed, looking around and appearing confused for a short time
- night terrors
- sleeptalking
What to do if someone is sleepwalking
The best thing to do if someone is sleepwalking is to make sure they're safe.
Gently guide them back to bed by reassuring them. If undisturbed, they will often go back to sleep again.
Waking the person when the episode is over and settling them back to sleep can prevent another episode in the same sleep cycle.
Do not shout or startle the person. Do not try to physically restrain them unless they're in danger. They may lash out.
When to contact your GP
You do not usually need medical attention for occasional sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is rarely a sign of anything serious. It may get better with time, particularly in children.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you sleepwalk often
- you're concerned a person sleepwalking may be at risk of injuring themselves or others
- sleepwalking continues or starts again when you are an adult
Your GP may refer you to a specialist sleep centre. A specialist will discuss your or your child's sleep history in more detail.
They may arrange sleep studies. This can rule out other conditions that can trigger sleepwalking, such as obstructive sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome.
Treatments for sleepwalking
There is no specific treatment for sleepwalking.
But it generally helps to try to get enough sleep and have a good bedtime routine.
There are things you can do to have a good bedtime routine.
Do
-
find ways to relax before going to bed - such as have a warm bath, read or do some deep breathing
-
limit drinks before bedtime, particularly drinks with caffeine such as tea and coffee
-
go to bed at a similar time each night
-
make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet when you go to bed
-
go to the toilet before you go to sleep
If your child sleepwalks at the same time most nights, try gently waking them for 15 to 30 minutes before that time. This may stop them from sleepwalking by changing their normal sleep cycle.
Medicine for sleepwalking
Medicine is not usually used to treat sleepwalking. But sometimes your GP will prescribe medicines such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants.
They may prescribe medicine if:
- you sleepwalk often
- there's a risk you could injure yourself or others
Medicine can help you sleep and may reduce the frequency of sleepwalking.
Therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or hypnotherapy may sometimes be helpful.
Preventing accidents when sleepwalking
To prevent accidents during sleepwalking:
- remove any harmful objects or items you could trip over or break
- keep windows and doors locked
If your child sleepwalks:
- do not let them sleep on the top bed of a bunk bed
- fit safety gates at the top of the stairs
- tell anyone who looks after your child at night that your child sleepwalks and explain what to do if it happens
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
