Why do some people sleepwalk? What is the trigger and how can it be managed?
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One morning in 2018, I woke up to a group of very confused roommates.
They had a complete story to tell. Apparently I woke up and went to my roommate’s room. I was sitting on the bed and looking at his phone, when I went over and patted his head a few times and said, “Are you okay?” I was quite perplexed, like when someone suddenly enters your room at 3 in the morning and asks about your health. However, she assured me it was, and I went back to my room and fell asleep. The second time, I woke up another roommate, who I shared a room with, and asked her if she needed to book a taxi. I had no memory of any of this.
My 2018 was filled with many episodes of this type, which are now part of family tradition and inside jokes. I woke up and walked to the door asking if I should give my paintings to my mother-in-law. Attention, I was not married in 2018. And I don’t paint either. It was probably the result of a conversation with my sister, who does paint.
What were the reasons? Well, as I understand it now, a lot of this was due to underlying stress: moving house, finding a challenging new job, and a couple of relationship crises. That seemed to have manifested itself in unusual sleeping patterns, although I didn’t think he was stressed at the time.
So I decided to talk to experts and find out exactly what sleepwalking is all about. For the most part, it’s manageable. However, when you start a car while you sleep, you have a problem.
What is sleepwalking?
If you are stressed or simply not following a healthy sleep schedule, you are probably at higher risk of walking around the house while you sleep.
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Sleepwalking is that state between sleep and wakefulness. In this state, a person usually gets up and does mostly mundane activities and has no memory of doing them the next morning. The person may have a rather glassy-eyed expression and may not be able to communicate clearly in this state. It is usually more common in children than in adults.
“It is also known as sleepwalking, which is a sleep disorder characterized by complex behaviors during deep sleep,” explains Devika Mankani, a holistic psychologist based in Dubai. However, she notes that while it may be associated with mental health conditions, it does not necessarily indicate psychological problems on its own.
Why would a person sleepwalk?
If you are stressed or simply not following a healthy sleep schedule, you are probably at higher risk of walking around the house while you sleep.
There are several underlying psychological factors that could be related to sleepwalking. “Lack of enough sleep or poor quality sleep can increase the likelihood of sleepwalking. Lack of sleep can affect mental health and overall well-being, potentially contributing to psychological problems,” explains Mankani. For children, they sleepwalk due to unproductive sleep patterns, illness, injury, or changes in the sleep environment.
Lack of enough sleep or poor quality sleep can increase the likelihood of sleepwalking. Lack of sleep can affect mental health and overall well-being, potentially contributing to psychological problems.
– Devika Mankani, holistic psychologist
If a person is under extreme stress or anxiety, this could also lead to sleepwalking. “High levels of stress and anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns and increase the occurrence of sleepwalking episodes,” says Mankani. Psychological stressors, such as difficult work routines or personal upheavals, can also trigger sleepwalking episodes.
Sleepwalking can also be genetic, if the condition tends to run in families. “There may be shared genetic or environmental factors that contribute to both sleepwalking and certain psychological conditions,” Mankani explains. On the other hand, a person may sleepwalk due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia, which can have psychological implications.
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and the irresistible urge to move them (Courtesy: National Institute of Health)
It can also be a consequence of certain medications or fever. However, when it occurs frequently, especially in adults, it can sometimes be associated with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), explains clinical psychologist Saliha Afridi of Light House Arabia, based in Dubai.
What does sleepwalking say about a person’s mental health?
Sleepwalking occurs more frequently in children than in adults, and children often outgrow it by adolescence. Isolated episodes of sleepwalking in adulthood are not usually signs of serious problems.
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It’s not necessarily a sign of deteriorating mental health, Afridi says. It occurs more frequently in children than in adults and children usually outgrow it by adolescence. Isolated episodes of sleepwalking in adulthood are not usually signs of serious problems.
Just because someone sleepwalks doesn’t always mean they have a psychological problem, he says. If sleepwalking occurs infrequently and does not cause harm to the patient or other people, it may not need to be treated at all.
When you should worry
Sleepwalking becomes a cause for concern and concern if the person tries to do something that could cause harm, such as leaving the house in the middle of the night or trying to drive a car.
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It also depends on the nature of the activity that the person performs while sleeping. It becomes a cause for concern and concern if they try to do something that could cause them harm, such as leaving the house in the middle of the night or trying to drive a car. They could also be injured if they fall down the stairs in that state between wakefulness and sleep.
It is important to see a doctor if sleepwalking causes problems or leads to dangerous situations. If sleepwalking episodes persist, the person may have a sleep disorder, experts say. A doctor can help identify underlying problems and recommend appropriate treatment. A thorough examination by a doctor can help determine whether sleepwalking is actually related to an underlying physical or psychological condition, Mankani explains.
How can sleepwalking episodes be prevented?
Maintain good sleep hygiene.
This is crucial especially for children. Establishing a regular sleep routine helps promote better quality sleep and reduces the likelihood of sleepwalking, Mankani explains. Create a conducive environment for sleeping, avoid watching crimes or supernatural programs before going to sleep.
Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and comfortable. Excess light, extreme temperatures and noise can disrupt your sleep, so find out what you can do to reduce these factors.
Relaxation exercises such as mindfulness therapy to control stress and anxiety levels are instructive in preventing sleepwalking episodes. Meditation and deep breathing are helpful, advises Afridi.
Create a comfortable sleeping environment for you. Remove obstacles and sharp objects from your environment, says Mankani. Lock doors and windows and use security doors or alarms if necessary. It is important to implement safety measures for those who sleepwalk frequently, as they could be injured.
Relaxation exercises such as mindfulness therapy to control stress and anxiety levels are instructive in preventing sleepwalking episodes. Meditation and deep breathing are helpful.
– Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist
Talk to a health professional.
If sleepwalking becomes frequent, disruptive, or poses safety risks, it is advisable to see a healthcare provider, explains Mankani. They will evaluate the situation, identify possible underlying factors, and recommend appropriate interventions or therapies.
Treat underlying physical or mental problems.
If the person has conditions, such as restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea, it is best to treat these conditions, as they can reduce sleepwalking episodes.
(NOTE: This story was first published in July 2023)
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