Sleepwalking

Most people know sleepwalking from the comics. But does it really exist and are there many sleepwalkers?

People who sleepwalk start performing actions in a semi-conscious state about 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep. This can range from movements in bed to effective walking around. Sleepwalkers then walk around with their eyes open but do not hold their arms horizontally in front of them. The latter was imagined by Shakespeare in Macbeth.

Ultimately, there are not that many people who sleepwalk and it is mainly a problem in children. Normally, they will sleepwalk less as they get older.

We must be especially careful that sleepwalkers cannot hurt themselves (e.g. falling down stairs or being burned in a fire). Some sleepwalkers perform sexual acts while sleepwalking and there have even been a few cases of people committing murder while sleepwalking. Sufficient sleep appears to be the best solution for sleepwalkers.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024