Sleep walking (somnolence) is where the sleeper sits up and gets out of bed and starts moving round the house and performing tasks, they usually have a blank expression on their face and when questioned may just answer with a bunch or garble.
Sleep walking can be harmful if the sleeper trips up, falls down the stairs etc
In some cases, it has even been known for people to lock themselves out of their own house… while asleep!
Also note that the fallacy about waking up a sleep walking person causing mental damage is not true at all. They will although be very confused and not remember how they got there. So just explain to them that they were sleep walking and get them back to bed
Sleep walking (somnambulism) most often occurs during deep non-REM sleep (stage 3 or stage 4 sleep) early in the night. It can occur during REM sleep near morning.
Symptoms:
eyes open during while asleep
Could have blank (zombie looking) facial expression
When spoken to u may be either ingored or reponded with non-meaningful words
walking during sleep
Other activies happen – i know someone who used to get out of bed, make a cup of tea… leave on the side and go back to bed!
No memory of it happening
Safety measures may be needed to prevent injury. Such as moving any obstacles the sleep walker may trip over, and putting a gate on the stairs.
Prevention:
-Avoid alcohol before bed.
-Avoid fatigue or insomnia.
-Avoid stress, anxiety, and conflict
-Try relaxation techniques or meditation prior to bed time.
-Some drugs can cause episodes of sleep walking. consult your doctor if you are taking any medicine you think they may be worsening it.
-If you sleep with someone, have them awaken you if you become restless.