Sleepwalking

Usually, the affected person can’t remember the actions he has done after walking up.

•        Sitting up in bed
•        Walking
•        Talking while sleeping
•       Inappropriate behavior
•        Doing abnormal activities (ex: waking up to eat leftovers, changing the position of objects in the room)
•       Being difficult to wake up
•        Going outside
•        Violence (ex: throwing objects)

Visit a Neurologist to be diagnosed and treated properly, If you or one of your family have any of these symptoms

Causes may include :

•        Hereditary
•        Sleep deprivation
•        Parkinson’s disease
•        Migraine
•        Hyperthyroidism
•        Certain medications (ex : antipsychotics, antidepressants)

The diagnosis depends mainly on the symptoms and detailed medical history.

·       Physical examination and laboratory tests : To exclude any other condition causing these symptoms.

·       Polysomnography : A type of sleep study in which several parameters such as brain waves, heart rate, and oxygen levels are monitored during sleep to help in diagnosis.

In most cases, there’s no need for treatment as this condition goes away by itself. If the condition is annoying or the patient and the surrounding people are in danger due to violence then it should be treated.

Lifestyle modifications :

•        Closing the windows and doors
•        Removing any weapons or objects that can cause harm
•        Avoid waking the sleepwalker up, just guide him to the bed
•        Avoid the causes of sleep deprivation
•        Making regular sleep schedules
•        Reducing alcohol consumption
•       Stopping medications that may cause this condition

Scheduled waking : A method that depends on waking up the patient 15-30 min before their usual sleepwalking time.

Learning self-hypnosis : Using methods that help in relaxation to get in a hypnotic state.

Medications : Some medications can help with this condition such as Clonazepam and Gabapentin.