1. Control Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is a parasomnia, or sleep disorder, that can be problematic to treat, but a combination of behavior modification, home preparation, counseling and medication can be effective. You'll need to ensure you get enough sleep each night and set a regular schedule for going to bed to train your body. In addition, you should hang heavy drapes over the windows to make them difficult to open (or fall out of), and you should place loud alarms on all entrances and exits into the bedroom and the home. Alarms will awaken the sleepwalker and help to prevent injury.
Depression and other psychological disorders can contribute to sleepwalking, so talking to a counselor about such underlying issues can also help you deal with the disorder. Antidepressants might also be prescribed.
2. Behavior Modification for Bed-Wetting
Bed-wetting, a sleep disorder otherwise known as enuresis, can be dealt with by using behavior modification techniques, such as positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement for not wetting the bed can include a point system in which small rewards can be given for each night that your child remains dry. Each point can earn a small gift, or you can have him "save" points for one large gift every so often. Negative reinforcement, like punishment for nights when your child wets the bed, should be avoided at all costs, since this can actually have the reverse effect.
Environmental alerts such as moisture detectors and alarms can also be effective. A moisture detector will sound a loud alarm to alert your child to rise and go to the bathroom. Additionally, a regular sleep schedule and counseling (in the event of emotional concerns) should be incorporated into treatment.
3. Get Counseling for Night Terrors
Night terrors (pavor nocturnis) is a parasomnia most commonly dealt with through counseling and behavior modification. Counseling helps to address the nature of the terrors and discover what is causing the nightmares. Behavioral modification includes setting up a regular sleep schedule. Establishing a sleep ritual--including activities like brushing your teeth, taking a warm bath, sipping herbal tea or anything else relaxing--can help relieve stress before bedtime.
4. Quiet Exploding Head Syndrome
Exploding head syndrome refers to the sensation of waking to a loud sound like that of an explosion, even though no actual stimuli has caused the reaction. Treating exploding head syndrome is typically done using counseling and behavioral modification, but there is little research as to effective medications.
5. Treat Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the more treatable forms of sleep disorder, with sleep rituals, counseling, behavior modification and medication all playing active roles. Prescription sleep aids like zolpidem tartrate (sold as Ambien) and eszopiclone (sold as Lunesta) are commonly prescribed to help establish a regular sleep schedule. Insomniacs are encouraged to use sleep rituals like those used to treat night terrors or other sleep disorders. Counseling plays a major role, too, since stress and emotional distress are among the leading causes of insomnia. Meditation during the day can also help relieve stress resulting from everyday events.
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