brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Parasomnias
Sleepwalking (somnambulism)
Sleepwalking, most common in late childhood and adolescence, is walking in a semiconscious manner without being consciously aware of it. It occurs during the deepest stage of NREM sleep. Sleepwalkers may mumble repetitiously and can hurt themselves by walking into obstacles. Most sleepwalkers have no memory of sleepwalking. Not getting enough sleep and behaving in ways that are not conducive to sleep (see table Changes in Behavior to Improve Sleep ) can make sleepwalking more likely. For example, consuming Usually, no specific treatment is necessary unless sleepwalking results in injury. The followinggeneral measuresmay help make sleepwalking less likely: Taking measures to improve sleep—for example, near bedtime, avoiding doing anything stimulating (such as exercising or consumingcaffeine) Installing alarms to awaken the sleepwalker when the sleepwalker leaves the bed Installing door alarms The following measures may help prevent injuries during sleepwalking: Gently leading the sleepwalker back to bed, rather than forcibly awakening the sleepwalker, which may agitate the sleepwalker Removing obstacles or breakable objects that may be in the sleepwalker's path Keeping windows closed and locked For the sleepwalker, sleeping in a low bed or on a mattress on the floor to prevent falls from bed when the sleepwalker attempts to get out of bed Misuse of Antianxiety Medications and Sedatives , particularly 