Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is when people get up and walk around while asleep. It's more common in children than adults. Children usually outgrow sleepwalking by the teen years. Sleepwalking that happens once in a while often isn't a serious problem and doesn't need treatment. But sleepwalking that happens a lot may suggest an underlying sleep disorder.
Sleepwalking in adults is more likely to be confused with, or happen as part of, other sleep disorders. Medical conditi...
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Sleepwalking usually occurs early in the night — often 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep. It isn't likely to happen during naps, but it is possible. A bout of sleepwalking can occur rarely or often. A bout generally lasts several minutes, but it can last longer.
People who sleepwalk may:
Sleepwalking is classified as a parasomnia — an undesirable behavior or event during sleep. Sleepwalking is a disorder of arousal. This means it occurs during N3 sleep, the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Another NREM disorder is sleep terrors, which can occur with sleepwalking.
Many factors can lead to sleepwalking, including:
Occasional sleepwalking usually does not need to be treated. In children who sleepwalk, it usually goes away by the teen years.
If sleepwalking could lead to injury, disrupts family members, or results in embarrassment or sleep disruption for the people who sleepwalk, treatment may be needed. Treatment generally focuses on promoting safety and stopping what's causing the sleepwalking.
Treatment may include:...
For informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
© Mayo Clinic
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