Sleepwalking is a rare phenomenon. About 15% of 5 to 12 year olds have been affected by sleepwalking. By puberty, however, the percentage drops dramatically, and in adulthood this form of sleep disorder hardly ever occurs. What is behind it and how do you behave if you encounter a sleepwalker? The phenomenon of sleepwalking belongs to the so-called parasonias. This refers to abnormal events during sleep or at the threshold between wakefulness and sleep. Sleepwalking behavior is complex. A simple sitting up, which is referred to as “confused waking” or walking around the home may occur. After waking up, usually nothing can be remembered.
The “somnambulistic certainty”
There is a common assumption that sleepwalkers can orient themselves well and usually do not put themselves in danger. However, research proves the opposite. Coordination of movement patterns is extremely poor. Often the sleepwalker stumbles or falters.
Walking in a straight line is one of the greatest dangers. Despite open eyes, the sleepwalker cannot see if something is moving towards him. Obstacles can thus cause him injuries. There is also a danger of falling, since the sleepwalker does not notice when his path ends.
What should you do if you encounter a sleepwalker?
A sleepwalker is usually unresponsive. If he gives a response, he articulates poorly. You should try to steer the sleepwalker back to his bed. It is important to avoid waking him up. He would otherwise become frightened and distraught about his current situation.
In case of danger, he would probably react wrongly out of fright. In the rarest cases it happens that a sleepwalker becomes violent. When bringing the sleepwalker back, the only thing that matters is to protect him from himself.
Does the moon play a role in sleepwalking?
Sleepwalking is also referred to as “moon addiction.” In fact, what happens is that the sleepwalker tends to orient himself to a source of light. This can be the moon or any other light. Today, the moon probably does not play such a large role, since it is, in a usual residential area, one light among many.
