QUESTION: What is somnambulism?
Somnambulism, better known as sleepwalking, is a parasomnia—a sleep disorder in which a person performs complex motor actions while in a state of deep sleep. During an attack, the person's eyes are usually open, their face is impassive, and they react with difficulty or do not react at all to the appeals of others.
This condition is significantly more common in children aged four to twelve years, which is associated with the immaturity of their nervous system. As a rule, as the child grows older, episodes of somnambulism pass on their own without any specific medical intervention.
The main safety rule when encountering a sleepwalking person is under no circumstances to wake them up abruptly. Sudden awakening can cause the sleeper extreme fright, disorientation, aggression, or panic, so it is better to gently and calmly guide them back to bed.
To prevent possible injuries, it is necessary to secure the bedroom and the entire apartment in advance.
If episodes of somnambulism occur frequently, are accompanied by injuries, or appear for the first time already in adulthood, it is imperative to consult a somnologist doctor to rule out concomitant neurological diseases.