Sleepwalking: the king of sleep disorders

Today we talk about somnambulism. Who has not ever heard of people walking, talking, or sitting alone when they are sleeping? Stories and anecdotes are often told about one or more members of the family circle who have arrived to walk home alone wanting to open doors or windows, or that while they slept they talked or "called" known.

In addition, after these episodes, when the next morning the person who is the protagonist of the event is told what happened, it is rare that she remembers something. The truth is that the somnambulism, also know as noctambulism, it is so strange that it has been enveloped in a haze of rumors and myths (such as the belief that it is advisable not to lift the sleepwalker). This short article aims to clarify doubts about this phenomenon.

Sleepwalking: definition and symptoms

For Navarro and Tortajada (1994) “sleepwalking is a generally benign sleep disorder characterized by brief episodes of wandering that appear during slow wave sleep (fourth phase), almost in the first third of the night". These episodes, which usually last from 40 seconds to 40 minutes, can include almost any type of behavior or express incoherent or very clear words or phrases.

Regarding the symptoms, Navarro and Tortajada give us the following characteristics about the behavior of the sleepwalker:

• They can lift the sheets, tuck them in, and lie back down and sleep
• Get up and walk across or out of the room
• Open your eyes during sleep
• Clumsy motor activity
• Play musical instruments
• Drink fluids, etc.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is, therefore, a sleep disorder, since it involves an alteration of normal behavior during this phase of day-to-day life and can harm the well-being of the individual. But, beyond its basic effects, sleepwalking can begin to manifest itself in different ways.

It is known that this Sleep disorder it tends to appear in childhood with a prevalence of 20% and its onset usually occurs between the age of 4 to 8 years. Although many scientists state that in adulthood it is rare to find this disorder, there are data that corroborate the existence of this in adults, perhaps not in a high percentage, but in a significant degree of the 1 to 3%. In people who experience it during adulthood, it should be emphasized that both in its symptoms and etiology it differs from sleepwalking typical of childhood.

In a study done by Dr. Guiezzepi Plazzi of the University of Bologna and published in the journal Neurological science It is stated that in children between the ages of 4 and 6 it usually occurs more frequently. It also concludes that some people have the urge to have sex during a sleepwalking event, (this is called sleepwalking sexual behavior, or sexsomnia).

Causes of sleepwalking

As of today, there is no unified theory based on solid evidence that explains the causes of sleepwalking. What seems to be confirmed is that it is hereditary: it has been concluded that between 70 to 80% of sleepwalkers have relatives who have suffered from a sleep disorder throughout their lives.

Some mental health professionals indicate that sleepwalking in children is associated with fatigue and anxiety. Regarding the adult stage, this could be associated with the consumption of some type of drugs.

Treatment of nightlife

To date, there is no specific treatment for this sleep disorder. What do exist are preventive measures, which are aimed at children who suffer from it and their parents, who must be alert so that when an episode occurs the subject does not endanger their lifetime.

If these episodes have occurred both in adolescence and adulthood, professionals recommend relaxation techniques, and as alternative techniques such as hypnosis, yoga, etc. (as long as it serves as a complement to a psychological intervention). A pharmacological treatment may be recommended if the person who suffers it is an adult and if so indicated by a psychiatrist and according to her instructions.

To this day science continues to work to find the origin of sleepwalking. Meanwhile, we will continue to be intrigued by the behavior of a person who, while asleep, can act like an awake person.

Bibliographic references:

• Navarro, F. and Tortajada, R. (1994). Behavioral Psychology, Volume 2, Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga and Valencia.
• Dee Unglaub Silverthorn, (2009). Human Physiology, an Integrated Approach. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana.
• Horse, V. (2008). Modification and conduct manual. Ecuador: Faculty of Psychological Sciences of the University of Guayaquil.