Sleepwalking is normally nothing to be concerned about, health wise. While a tendency to get out of bed and wander while still asleep can be linked to sleep disorders – such as apnoea – or caused by stress or taking certain medications, it doesn’t usually pose any medical or psychological danger.
But there are times when it can be harmful – especially if the sleepwalker engages in potentially dangerous activities, such as walking onto a road, handling sharp objects, or climbing to high places.
And if they get behind the wheel of a car, it can put other people’s safety at risk, as well as their own.
Often, it’s up to other people in the household to keep an eye on the sleepwalker, to make sure they don’t come to any harm.
The signs
• Their eyes may be open, but sporting a glazed, glassy-eyed expression.
• Speaking is quite common, but the subject often talks utter nonsense, or just mumbles incoherently.
• They may roam around the house doing things, such as opening and closing doors.
• Trying to do routine activities is quite normal sleepwalking behaviour, such as getting dressed or trying to make something to eat.
Should you wake a sleepwalker?
You’ve probably heard the age-old advice that waking a sleepwalker is dangerous, because it can cause a heart attack or a collapse. However, according to researchers at the Sleep Disorders Centre at New York University, waking a sleepwalker is not harmful, and may prevent them from hurting themselves.
But doctors at Bologna University in Italy say that if the sleepwalker is already feeling disoriented and they are woken abruptly by being vigorously shaken, they could lash out and harm themselves, or the person waking them.
The best course of action is to gently guide the person back to bed by the arm. If they insist on continuing whatever it is they are doing, you may need to watch them and remove any dangerous objects, until they are calm and ready to go back to bed.
If you do have to wake the sleepwalker for their own safety, it is better to do it by creating a loud noise nearby, such as slamming a door or turning on the television. Try to avoid shaking them.
Five fast facts
1 Sleepwalking, which is also known as known as somnambulism or noctambulism, appears to run in the family. It’s more common if you have a parent who does it, or did it as a child.
2 Factors that can contribute to sleepwalking include sleep deprivation or extreme fatigue, suffering from stress, having a fever, or being in unfamiliar surroundings.
3 Alcohol, drugs or some medications, including antihistamines, sedatives and sleeping pills, can trigger sleepwalking episodes.
4 It is sometimes associated with other conditions, such as restless legs syndrome and migraines.
5 The danger time is between one and three hours after falling asleep, when in the deep sleep stage.
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