Sleepwalking

Diagnosis

Some medications used to treat other disorders (such as insomnia or depression) can lead to sleepwalking, as can arousals caused by other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It's also possible to confuse other disorders, such as seizures, with sleepwalking. Mayo Clinic sleep specialists have the knowledge and tools to arrive at a correct diagnosis for each patient.

For some, a polysomnogram may be key to understanding what is happening during their sleep.

A polysomnogram is a painless test in which a number of sensors are applied to the skin's surface to record the brain wave activity, eye movements, breathing function, oxygen levels, heart rate and muscle activity during sleep. The information is processed by a computer, scored by a technician, and then reviewed by a sleep specialist.

Mayo Clinic sleep centers are equipped to take time-synchronized video recordings during polysomnograms, which can be particularly useful in analyzing parasomnias.