SLEEPWALKING AND SLEEP TERRORS: their shared characteristic
_ Sleepwalking or somnambulism and sleep
terrors are parasomnias that often run in families. They occur during the stage
of the sleep in which the sleeper does not come to full consciousness. Typically, there is no memory of the episode the following day. Most cases
begin in childhood and are attributed primarily to a delayed development of the
nervous system. The disturbances are usually outgrown by adolscence, and
treatment is generally not advised. If the problems persist, however, or
develop later in adulthood, the origin is thought to be psychological, and
treatment is recommended.
Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): walking around but sound asleep
Cartoonists often depict sleepwalkers groping about with their eyes closed and their arms extended forward as if to feel their way about. Actually, sleepwalkers have their eyes open with a blank stare, and rather than walking normally, they shuffle about. Their coordination is poor, and if they talk, their speech is usually unintelligible.
Sleepwalkers are awake enough to carry out activities that do not require their full attention, but asleep enough no to remember having done so the following day. Sleepwalkers may get up and roam through the house or simply stand for a short time and then go back to bed. Occasionally they get dressed, eat a snack, or go to the bathroom. The most important concern in sleepwalking is safety. Because of their reduced alertness and coordination, sleepwalkers are at risk of hurting themselves. They have been known to walk out of windows, accidentally run into objects, or fall down. You may have heard that it is dangerous to awaken a sleepwalker. This piece of conventional wisdom is not true. It may, in fact, be somewhat difficult to wake someone who is sleepwalking, but once woken up, the person may simply be confused or disoriented for a short time.
Sleepwalkers are awake enough to carry out activities that do not require their full attention, but asleep enough no to remember having done so the following day. Sleepwalkers may get up and roam through the house or simply stand for a short time and then go back to bed. Occasionally they get dressed, eat a snack, or go to the bathroom. The most important concern in sleepwalking is safety. Because of their reduced alertness and coordination, sleepwalkers are at risk of hurting themselves. They have been known to walk out of windows, accidentally run into objects, or fall down. You may have heard that it is dangerous to awaken a sleepwalker. This piece of conventional wisdom is not true. It may, in fact, be somewhat difficult to wake someone who is sleepwalking, but once woken up, the person may simply be confused or disoriented for a short time.
Sleep Terrors: screams in the night
Sleep terrors usually begin with a piercing scream. The sleeper springs up in a state of panic; eye open, perspiring, breathing rapidly, with the heart pounding at two to four times the normal rate. Episodes usually last from 5 to 15 minutes, and then the person falls back to sleep. If not awakened during a night terror, children usually have no memory of the episode the next morning. If awakened, however, they may recall a single frightening image.
Parents should not be unduly alarmed by sleep terrors in young children, since up to 5% of them have sleep terrors. However, episodes that continue through adolescence into adulthood are more serious. Fewer than 1% of adults experience sleep terrors, and they often indicate extreme anxiety or other psychological problems.
Parents should not be unduly alarmed by sleep terrors in young children, since up to 5% of them have sleep terrors. However, episodes that continue through adolescence into adulthood are more serious. Fewer than 1% of adults experience sleep terrors, and they often indicate extreme anxiety or other psychological problems.