Sleepwalking

Risks

Sleepwalking is much more common in children than in adults, and is usually viewed as a normal part of their sleep. Chances for child sleepwalking increase if one or both parents were sleepwalkers.

Other risk factors include:

• Sleep deprivation
• Other sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Confusional arousals at a younger age
• Certain medications, especially those used to treat insomnia or depression
• Alcohol
• Physical or emotional stress
• Travel
• Sleeping in an unfamiliar environment
• Noisy or bright sleep environment
• Fever
• Migraine headaches
• Head injury
• Encephalitis
• Stroke
• Hyperthyroidism
• Premenstrual syndrome