A myth holds that waking a sleepwalking person is dangerous, according to MayoClinic.com. In some cases, the consequences of letting someone sleepwalk are far worse than the dangers of waking them up. Nonetheless, waking a person sleepwalking can have negative results. These depend partly on the reaction of the person being woken. However, it's unlikely to trigger a heart attack or seizure in the sleepwalker.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is more common in children than in adults, with 15 percent of children sleepwalking at some stage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Adults who frequently sleepwalk may have emotional or anxiety disorders, such as depression. Sedatives, medical conditions and alcohol use can all contribute to adult sleepwalking. In some cases, sleepwalkers may appear awake, with their eyes open. However, they usually don't respond to normal questions and act in a strange, distant manner.
Dangers
The dangers of waking a sleepwalking person lie mainly in what the person does in response to being woken. They're likely to be disorientated and confused if they suddenly wake to find themselves in a place that they didn't expect to be. In particular, being woken during the non-rapid eye movement sleep phase when sleepwalking commonly happens can trigger aggressive reactions in some people, notes the NYU Langone Medical Center. For example, a sleepwalker may lash out with a hand if they feel confused and threatened.
Approach
Instead of going right up to a sleepwalking person and shaking him awake, guide him gently back to his bedroom. Avoiding waking the person means you don't run the risk of an aggressive outburst upon waking. You can also move obstacles from his path as he walks to minimize the chance of tripping or causing damage. The MedlinePlus website even suggests using a gate at the top of stairs or other dangerous areas in the case of persistent sleepwalkers.
Treatment
Children usually grow out of sleepwalking with no medical interventions required. Doctors may recommend several treatment options for adults with persistent sleepwalking issues. For example, hypnosis sessions can lower incidences of sleepwalking. In serious cases where sleepwalking could lead to self-harm, a doctor may prescribe sedatives or other mood-altering drugs, according to MayoClinic.com. Treating possibly related conditions, such as depression, is another strategy that gets to the root of the problem.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Sleepwalking Treatments and Drugs; August 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Sleepwalking/Somnambulism; August 2010
- MedlinePlus; Sleepwalking; May 2011
- NYU Langone Medical Center; True or False: Never Wake a Sleepwalker; Jacquelyn Rudis; 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Sleepwalking Treatment and Drugs; August 2011
