Sleepwalking

Traditional sleepwalking typically occurs in the first half of the night, and the sleepwalker usually doesn't remember any dreaming associated with the event. Sleepwalking is so common in childhood that it's considered a normal variant. However, if sleepwalking is extremely frequent, occurs late at night, or persists into adolescence or adulthood, it's considered an abnormality requiring treatment. Since serious injury and even death can occur during sleepwalking, steps should be taken to ensure the safety of frequent sleepwalkers. Occasionally, walking during sleep results from other disorders such as partial epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's disease, and REM (R-E-M) sleep behavior disorder. Traditional sleepwalking can sometimes be prevented through the use of hypnotherapy, counseling, and medications. Other disorders that result in walking during sleep may require different treatment approaches, and a careful sleep history, physical examination, and overnight testing, are sometimes necessary to distinguish sleepwalking from other problems. For more information, consult a healthcare professional.