Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, is a neurological sleep disorder that affects roughly 10 percent of the world population. A sleepwalker is asleep and yet the brain is only partially in a dormant state. In the most frequent cases, a sleepwalker talks, either alone or with others nearby, and can even interact with his or her environment. While sometimes the eyes of a sleepwalker are wide open, they still lack any expression. Nonetheless, sleepwalkers manage to maneuver around objects, wash their clothes, discuss, eat, clean themselves, or maybe even eat while taking a shower. It’s hard to find something a sleepwalker hasn’t done before.
But be careful! There are different forms of sleepwalking, and certain cases are far from amusing. In fact, this sleep disorder can have serious consequences not only for the sleepwalker but for those around him or her as well. If, for example, the sleepwalking events are frequent and last more than 10 minutes, and this sleepwalker finds him or herself in a dangerous situation, there is a risk of something bad happening. The most frequent example is that of the adult sleepwalker who takes the wheel of a car, however there are also examples of sleepwalkers who exhibit violent or clumsy behavior.
In cases where there is a real risk of violence, it is called “sleep terror,” which is the most severe form of sleepwalking. The sleepwalker, although unconscious, is in a state of extreme anxiety and can react in a very violent manner while screaming. The sleepwalker experiences a rise in heart rate, accelerated breathing, and increased muscular activity. As though in a trance, the individual is prone to compulsive movements and gestures during the event, and yet will remember none of it upon waking. This kind of somnambulism can occur several times in one night, making the situation all the more dangerous. If your child or other family member experiences such a disorder, be sure to prevent them from going far, by locking the doors to the house for example. Certainly don’t wake them unless there is immediate danger; there is nothing worse for a sleepwalker than to be woken in the middle of an event.
However such extreme sleepwalking instances are very rare, so don’t worry if you have a sleepwalker in the family or if you yourself tend to sleepwalk. Nevertheless, you should seek medical advice from a professional if such sleepwalking episodes put the sleepwalker or anyone else in danger. There are many personalized treatments available, both psychological and therapeutic.
 Antoine PANAITE
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01/08/2021 | 
