Sleep Walking

A Common Childhood Sleeping Disorder: Sleep Walking

Sleep walking (Somnambulism) is a common sleeping disorder marked by a state of partial awakening during deep sleep. One medical report says about 18% of the population are prone to sleepwalking, and it occurs more in school-age children than adolescents and adults. Children from age 11 to 12 showed the highest proportion of sleep walking at 16.7%. Males are more likely to be sleep walking than females. According to one study, 15% of children ages from 5 to 12 have slept walked at least once in their lives.

Scientists believe that the most common cause of sleep walking is the immature development of the nervous system regulating sleep cycles. With the brain's development with age, most children are less likely to sleep walk as they grow. When adults are sleep walking, it's mainly due to extreme stress or another sleep disorder called sleep terrors.

Sleep walking can occur regularly to some people, and usually do not cause any harm to themselves or to the others. But if the frequency of sleep walking is high, say several times per month, they should definitely seek professional help to avoid the dangers. There have been some tragedies with sleepwalkers. Sleep walkers may feel shame, guilt, and embarrassment and eventually constant sleepwalking can lead to physical injuries.

And be sure to check out our pages about Sleep Disorders, Sleeping Pills, Sleep Problems, Sleep Aids, and Lack Of Sleep elsewhere on this site.