Sleepwalking Overview: A Glimpse At One Of The Parasomnias

Sleepwalking is one of the oldest parasomnia and insomnia related disorders. Find out more on relevant facts beyond this activity that alters sleep.

Sleepwalking has been illustrated in health writing even before the time of Hippocrates. In Shakespeare’s heartbreaking theatrical production, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s renowned sleepwalking setting is connected to her remorse which resulted to mental illness due to her participation in the slay of her father-in-law. This goes to show that this parasomnia is very common. As it triggers sleep disruption, insomnia occurs.

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a condition in which the victim walks, talks and has full possession of his senses but no recollection after awakening. It usually arises from a psychological complex buried in the subconscious mind of an individual. It generally ceases when a doubt or fear is relieved. In some cases, this kind of disorder requires psychiatric treatment.

Each sleep sequence, both NREM and REM ends approximately 90 to 100 minutes and recurs during the night, wherein a regular individual goes through 4 to 5 total sleep sequences nightly. Sleepwalking normally happens throughout the first and second sleep sequence for the duration of phases 3 and 4. This kind of disorder does not happen during the naps because of the short period of time required. Generally, sleepwalkers have no ability to recall what transpired during that moment.

Causes of sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is commonly attributed to the following factors:

• Genetics. This kind of condition most often happens to identical twins. It is 10 times risky for individuals whose family members have history of sleepwalking disorder.

• Environment. There are several kinds of body conditions that can trigger sleepwalking disorders which comprise of lack of sleep, disorganized sleeping routine, high temperature, tensions, insufficient supply of magnesium in the body, and alcohol intoxication.

• Medications. There are also some kinds of drugs that can result to sleepwalking like sedatives as well as medicines used in treating psychotic individuals and other kinds of body ailments or nervous system disorders.

• Physiologic. Examples of this are pregnancy and menstruation.

• Associated medical conditions. There are a lot of medical problems that are linked to sleepwalking. It is important that you consult your doctor if you have the disorder so that he could pinpoint the real cause of your condition.

Symptoms of sleepwalking

The incidents of sleepwalking may vary according to the individual’s condition. They may sometimes walk quietly around the room or they may become agitated wherein they tend to run or escape from some situations. There are instances when eyes are wide open but with a dead flat, gazing look as they move quietly around the house. If someone asks questions, their answers are sluggish and if they go back to sleep without waking up, they do not normally recall what transpired during the night. Children sleepwalkers who wake up quickly before the end of the incident usually feel humiliated which may result to bedwetting.

Sleep walking is not connected to some kinds of sleeping conditions or any kind of feelings that are thought to be the cause of this disorder. This condition may be due to some kinds of emotional trauma. It pays to seek doctor’s advice once you have this parasomnia.

Tags: insomnia, NREM, parasomnia, REM, sleepwalkers, sleepwalking

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