What is Sleepwalking?

If you've ever seen someone wandering around their house in the middle of the night and remembering nothing the next morning, you've likely encountered sleepwalking. While it can sometimes seem frightening, it's a more common and often manageable sleep disorder than generally believed.

Sleepwalking, also known medically as "somnambulism," is a sleep disorder characterized by a person getting out of bed while asleep, wandering around the house, and performing certain movements and behaviors, but generally not remembering any of it the next day.

Sleepwalking typically occurs during the deep stages of sleep, particularly during non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. In short, the person is not fully awake; their brain is stuck somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. Therefore, an outside observer might think they are awake, but they are actually still asleep. Using a comfortable mattress that properly supports your body can improve your sleep quality and help reduce such sleep disruptions.

An important point is that sleepwalking is different from having nightmares or shouting during dreams. While movements in dreams mostly occur during REM sleep, sleepwalking occurs during deep NREM sleep.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

There isn't a single cause for sleepwalking. Often, multiple factors combine, and sleepwalking attacks occur when the body's sleep patterns are disturbed.

The most common causes are:

Genetic Predisposition
The likelihood of experiencing sleepwalking increases in individuals with a family history of the condition. If one parent experiences sleepwalking, the child has a higher risk of developing it. Therefore, genetic predisposition is an important factor.

Sleep Deprivation and Irregular Sleep Patterns
Staying up late, constantly changing bedtimes and wake-up times, and not getting quality sleep can disrupt sleep patterns and increase the risk of sleepwalking. When the body struggles to enter deep sleep or is frequently interrupted, these "transitional states" between sleep and wakefulness occur more often.

Stress and Emotional Burden
An intense work pace, exam periods, family problems, anxiety, and emotional fluctuations can affect sleep quality and pave the way for sleepwalking attacks. Such sleep disorders may be more common in sensitive and anxious individuals.

Certain Medications and Substances
Some sedatives, sleeping pills, or substances like alcohol can disrupt sleep architecture and increase the risk of sleepwalking. If you suspect such a situation, you should definitely consult the doctor who prescribed the medication. It is always safer to seek medical advice rather than stopping or changing medication on your own.

Other Underlying Health Problems
Sleep apnea, febrile illnesses, and certain neurological or psychiatric conditions can also accompany sleepwalking. Therefore, if sleepwalking recurs frequently, it is important to investigate whether there is another underlying problem.

Symptoms of Sleepwalking

The most typical symptom of sleepwalking is getting out of bed and wandering around during sleep. However, this is not the only symptom. The following behaviors can also indicate a sleepwalking attack:

• Getting out of bed at night, wandering in the room or around the house.

• A blank facial expression, with eyes open but appearing to stare "blankly."

• Giving short, irrelevant, or meaningless answers to people around them.

• Opening doors or windows, rummaging through cabinets, moving objects.

• The person having no recollection of the night's events upon waking.

• Difficulty in being woken up; exhibiting a startled, scared, or angry demeanor when roused.

• In some cases, experiencing minor accidents such as falling or bumping into things.

At this point, it's very natural to ask this question:
"When should I take it seriously?"

It is important to take it seriously and consult a specialist if any of the following situations occur:

• If sleepwalking attacks are becoming more frequent.

• If the person is exhibiting behaviors that could harm themselves or others.

• If night sleep is so disrupted that it causes excessive fatigue, absentmindedness, and attention problems during the day.

• If sleepwalking has recently started and is increasing in adulthood.

What Causes Sleepwalking in Children?

Sleepwalking is most common during childhood. While it can often be quite alarming for parents, in many children, the attacks significantly decrease or disappear entirely by adolescence.

Let's take a closer look at the causes of sleepwalking in children:

Developmental and Genetic Factors
Children's brains and sleep patterns are still developing. Deep sleep stages are experienced more intensely, and sleepwalking can be more common during these transitional sleep periods. If there is a family history of sleepwalking, the child's likelihood of experiencing it also increases. Therefore, using children's beds appropriate for your child's age and height can contribute to more comfortable and uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

Febrile Illnesses
Especially during periods of high fever, children may exhibit sleepwalking-like symptoms. The child might get out of bed, engage in meaningless behaviors, talk, or wander around the room. This condition usually resolves on its own once the fever subsides. Especially in infancy, choosing baby beds made with safe materials is important for both sleep safety and hygiene.

Sleep Deprivation and Irregular Sleep Routine
Sleepwalking attacks may be more frequent in children who go to bed late, wake up early, or have frequently changing sleep patterns. A significant difference between weekday and weekend sleep times can particularly trigger this condition.

Stress and Emotional State
Situations such as changing schools, exam periods, family tensions, or the birth of a sibling can be sources of stress for a child. Even if the child cannot fully express this emotional burden, their sleep patterns can be affected at night, and sleepwalking attacks may occur.

So, as a parent, what can you do?

• First and foremost, it's important not to panic and to gently guide the child back to bed without scaring them.

• Instead of trying to wake the child suddenly and harshly, it is safer to gently guide them.

• Taking safety precautions at home is very valuable:

• Locking windows and balcony doors.

• If there are stairs, placing a barrier at the top of the stairs.

• Removing sharp and dangerous objects.

• To reduce the risk of falling during sudden awakenings at night, especially with high beds, using a bed rail can provide additional safety.

• Establishing a regular sleep routine; trying to have them go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time each day can also help reduce attacks.

If sleepwalking recurs frequently, if your child is at risk of self-harm, or if they appear very tired and absent-minded during the day, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or a specialist experienced in sleep disorders.

Sleepwalking Treatment

Sleepwalking treatment often focuses on identifying underlying causes and improving sleep patterns. Medication is not always necessary; in fact, for many people, attacks can significantly decrease with lifestyle adjustments.

We can consider treatment under three main headings:

1. When to See a Doctor?

It is a good step to seek support from a specialist if any of the following situations occur:

• If sleepwalking attacks are becoming more frequent and severe.

• If the person is engaging in behaviors that could harm themselves or others.

• If night sleep is so disrupted that it leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and decreased performance.

• If sleepwalking has newly started in adulthood.

Different assessments may be carried out depending on the specialist consulted (neurology, psychiatry, pulmonology/sleep center). If necessary, a detailed examination can be performed by recording nighttime sleep in a sleep laboratory.

2. Medical and Psychological Treatment Approaches

The primary goal of treatment is to first find the factor that triggers or exacerbates sleepwalking:

• Treating another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, if present.

• Planning psychological support or therapy processes if intense anxiety, depression, or traumatic experiences are accompanying.

• Administering medication under medical supervision in certain necessary situations.

The important point here is that you should never start or stop any medication on your own. Medications that can be used for sleepwalking must be evaluated by a specialist doctor.

3. Precautions to Take at Home and Lifestyle Changes

There are many simple but effective steps you can take at home to reduce sleepwalking attacks and minimize potential risks:

• Establishing as regular sleep hours as possible.

• Making sure not to go to bed too late and getting enough sleep.

• Creating a relaxing routine before sleep (reducing phone, tablet, TV time, ending the day with a calming activity).

• Reducing or, if possible, quitting alcohol and caffeine consumption.

• Taking safety precautions at home:

• Locking windows and doors.

• If there are stairs, placing a barrier at the top of the stairs.

• Moving sharp, breakable, dangerous objects to safer areas.

Especially in children, sleepwalking is often seen as part of the growth process and tends to decrease over the years. Nevertheless, it is crucial to create a safe environment for both children and adults and to seek expert support when necessary.

In conclusion, sleepwalking doesn't necessarily have to be a "dangerous disease" on its own; however, if ignored, it can lead to accidents, daytime fatigue, and a decrease in quality of life. If you or your child exhibits symptoms of sleepwalking, the best approach is to remain calm, observe the situation, take safety precautions, and consult a specialist if necessary.

This way, you can better understand the causes of sleepwalking and maintain your daily life as comfortably and safely as possible. If you wish, in the next step, we can together prepare meta descriptions, title tags, or social media sharing texts for this article.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sleepwalking

Is Sleepwalking Dangerous?

Sleepwalking can be dangerous not due to the condition itself, but because of risks such as falling, bumping into objects, or leaving the house while unaware; therefore, taking safety precautions is important.

Is it Harmful to Wake Someone Who Is Sleepwalking?

Suddenly shaking a sleepwalker awake can cause great shock and fear, so it is generally recommended to gently guide them back to bed rather than waking them directly.

Does Sleepwalking Go Away on Its Own?

Sleepwalking, especially when it occurs during childhood, often decreases on its own and may disappear completely by adolescence; in adults, its course changes depending on the underlying cause.

Which Doctor Should Be Consulted for Sleepwalking?

For sleepwalking complaints, usually neurology, psychiatry, or sleep disorder centers are consulted; if necessary, these branches can evaluate together.

When Does Sleepwalking Decrease in Children?

Sleepwalking is most common in children of primary school age, and in most children, the frequency of attacks significantly decreases or stops completely as they approach adolescence.