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Is There a Treatment for Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking can affect as much as 18 percent of the general population, with most cases occurring in children. [1] Treatments for sleepwalking vary significantly, and most children who sleepwalk grow out of it. For teen and adult sleepwalkers, as well as for children, several treatment options are available.

Safety First

Most people do not need a specific treatment for sleepwalking apart from avoiding triggers and maintaining a safe environment.  For example, putting electric cords out of reach, locking up weapons, adding external door locks, moving furniture (especially those with sharp edges) and sleeping on the ground floor can help prevent injury. Gates on stairs can also help prevent falls down them.

Avoid Triggers

For adults, certain stimuli can trigger a sleepwalking episode in those prone to the condition.  For example, alcohol consumption and certain medications such as sedatives, neuroleptics, stimulants, and antihistamines can trigger a sleepwalking episode.  Stress is another trigger and should be managed accordingly.  Sleepwalking symptoms are sometimes triggered by sleep deprivation. As a result, improving a patient's sleep-wake cycle and making it more consistent each day can sometimes help resolve sleepwalking symptoms. [2]

Psychiatric Treatment and Hypnosis

Some other treatment includes hypnosis, self-hypnosis, or other psychiatric treatment. Some patients of sleepwalking respond to this, while other treatments are more effective for others. Benzodiazepines, which are relaxing medications, have been found to be helpful in treating sleepwalking as well. Diazepam and lorazepam in small doses have also been used as successful sleepwalking treatment drugs. [3]

Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Many chronic sleepwalkers have sleep-disordered breathing for which there is a treatment that may help to eliminate sleepwalking episodes. Sleep disordered breathing is described as abnormalities of respiratory patterns or quantity of ventilation during sleep, the most widely known being obstructive sleep apnea. [4]

A 2005 study published in the journal Brain, found that many of the study participants that were chronic sleepwalkers also suffered from sleep disordered breathing.  These participants were treated surgically with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).  All that were treated had control of sleepwalking at all stages of a yearlong follow-up.  [5]

Anticipatory Awakenings

 Another treatment is known as anticipatory awakenings. This treatment involves waking a sleepwalker about 15 minutes before the time he or she usually has an episode and keeping him or her awake during its typical length. This is done for about one to four weeks.  [6]

As there are many treatments available for sleepwalking, one may not be effective for a particular patient. A patient may have to try a few before finding one that helps.