Sleepwalking
Overview
Sleepwalking is when you get up and move around while you're asleep. It does not usually need treatment, but it's important to keep yourself safe.
Causes
Sleepwalking happens when you partly wake from deep sleep in a way that means you can move but your brain is not fully awake. It's not known exactly why this happens, but it can be linked to things such as: not getting enough sleepother conditions that affect your sleep, such assleep apnoeaorrestless legs syndromebeing unwell with a high temperaturetaking certain medicines, such as sleeping pillsstressdrinking alcohol Sleepwalking is more common in children, and if you have other family members who also sleepwalk.
Treatment
Sleepwalking does not usually need treatment. Most children grow out of it without treatment by the time they're teenagers. If it's linked to another condition, or to taking certain medicines, treating the condition or changing the medicine should help. But do not stop taking medicines without talking to a GP. A GP might refer you to a sleep clinic for tests and treatment if sleepwalking is putting you at risk of accidents or severely affecting your sleep, or if they think it could be linked to a condition such as sleep apnoea. Treatment from a sleep clinic may include: psychological therapies such ascognitive behavioural therapyorhypnotherapymedicines such asclonazepamorantidepressants, if other things have not worked