Sleepwalking is a disorder that affects 10% of all humans at least once in their lives. It is a wide spread phenomenon that varies in frequency and intensity. Most sleepwalking episodes are short and not dangerous, however some can involve self-injury and are much more dangerous to the sleeper. The disorder seems to stem from many sources and not from one definable cause such as a chemical imbalance.
Who does sleepwalking affect?
- Sleepwalking (or as it is technically known "somnambulism") is predominantly seen in pre-adolescents, but is also observed in adults with the frequency and severity increasing with age. Sleepwalking was once thought to be a disorder caused by numerous psychological factors and also an extension of dreaming. It is now better understood to be caused by both psychological and physiological factors as well as the presence of chemicals such as drugs or alcohol.
- Sleepwalking is most prevalent in children from the ages of 4 to 12. It is generally agreed (according to research) that boys sleepwalk more frequently than girls. This difference is increasingly more noticeable between the ages of 11 and 12. It is also documented that most children grow out of their somnambulistic ways, while older sleepwalkers (that are more prone to stress and substance abuse) continue their somnambulism. Some of these adult sleepwalkers tend to have a lifelong struggle with the disorder especially given chemically induced circumstances. (drug or alcohol abuse)
When does sleepwalking occur?
Sleepwalking occurs at a certain level of deep sleep. It occurs in non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. There is a type of amnesia following a sleepwalking episode and this would explain why the sleeper is confused and disoriented upon awakening from an episode.
There is a difference in sleep patterns as people grow older; hence this explains the difference in the incidence of sleepwalking. Children tend to sleep more deeply and spend more time in this “deep sleep” phase. This is where the sleepwalking stage is initiated. As we grow older, sleep levels change. We spend more time in light sleep stages. In general, once past the stage of puberty, most children tend to grow out of somnambulism without the need of drug intervention.
Is sleepwalking hereditary?
Sleepwalking has proven to have genetic tendencies; therefore if your parents sleepwalked as children you are more likely to. Today we have a myriad of therapeutic treatments ranging from hypnosis to conventional prescription drugs to induce REM sleep and reduce the risk of sleepwalking in children and adults alike. The prognosis for a child to simply grow out of a sleepwalking phase is very good without seeking any professional help or using drugs to medicate them.
