Sleepwalking: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Complications / Issues

Sleepwalking does not directly pose any health concerns. However, accidents may happen as the Sleepwalker attempts to perform actions without the control of their conscious mind.

If the sleepwalker commits a criminal offence while asleep, or while they claim they were asleep, then a defense of automatism may be available to them, allowing them to get away with lesser or no charges.

A common myth surrounding this disorder is that one should never wake sleepwalkers while they are engaged in the activity. In truth, there is no implicit danger in waking sleepwalkers, though the subjects may be disoriented or embarrassed when awakened. The danger lies not in the fact that something might happen to the sleepwalker, but to the individual doing the waking, as occasionally the sleepwalkers get aggressive when interrupted. Although the majority of the time, nothing happens, it is not unheard of for assaults or even homicide to occur (though the latter is extremely rare). However sleepwalkers are much more likely to endanger themselves than anyone else. When sleepwalkers are a danger to themselves or others, (for example, when climbing up or down steps or trying to use a potentially dangerous tool such as a stove or a knife), steering them away from the danger or even waking them is advisable. It has even been reported that people have fallen out of windows while sleepwalking and died as a result.

Random Sleeping Tip

Make a specific work out that you do every night before going to sleep so that your mind knows that you are preparing yourself for sleep. You can feed your dog, switch the lights off in the house, put the kids to sleep, check all the doors to see that they are locked, do the laundry before you go to bed. All of these things will tell your mind that the time of sleep is approaching with every single thing that is being done. It is simply programming your mind to know the fact that it is time to sleep.

Treatment

Treatment for Sleepwalking is often unnecessary, especially if episodes are infrequent and uncomplicated.Safety issues are of prime importance for someone who sleepwalks and to others who are involved with managing the condition.

The following measures are usually recommended:

Locate the bedroom on the main floor, if possible

Lock the windows and cover them with large, heavy drapes

Keep the floor and room clear of potentially harmful objects

Remove any hazardous materials and sharp objects from the room and secure them in the house

Stay on the first floor when visiting others and when sleeping at a hotel

Medication may be used to treat Sleepwalking sufferers, especially where episodes are violent, injurious, frequent, or disruptive.

Therapy usually consists of the following class of medications:

Benzodiazepines: These drugs suppress muscle contractions and assist people in staying asleep. Diazepam, Alprazolam, or other tricyclic antidepressant may be used. Among other things, these drugs inhibit chemical processes associated with sleep regulation, which, depending on the patient, may result in effective treatment and fewer sleepwalking episodes.

Please Note: Benzodiazepines are also used to treat Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).Biofeedback and hypnosis have also been used effectively with some sleepwalking sufferers.

Prevention

The best way to prevent or reduce the onset of the symptoms and complications of Sleepwalking is for the sufferer to work with their doctor so that the causes can be treated, removed, or reduced.

In addition, various simple safety measures may also recommended to protect those who sleep walk and their partners / families.

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