Sleepwalking

Treatment

Treatment varies by individual, but usually includes making the sleep environment safer and making other lifestyle changes to decrease the likelihood of episodes. It might also include anticipatory awakenings or hypnosis — highly effective options that are usually preferred over medication.

Physical safeguards

• Sleeping in a ground floor bedroom, if possible
• Covering windows with thick curtains
• Placing additional locks on external doors
• Using stair gates
• Using motion detectors with alarms
• Locking up all weapons in the house

Lifestyle modifications

• Following a regular sleep schedule to prevent sleep deprivation
• Treating other sleep disorders
• Reducing noise or light in the sleep environment
• Avoiding certain medications and alcohol
• Avoiding stress
• Avoiding fever

Anticipatory awakenings
The sleeper is awakened about 15 minutes before he or she usually sleepwalks, and then kept awake through the duration of a typical episode. After 1-4 weeks of these awakenings, episodes usually become less frequent or even disappear.

Hypnosis
A psychologist in the sleep center initially performs the hypnosis and then teaches the patient to self-apply the technique (self-hypnosis).

Medication
Sometimes drugs such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines may be prescribed to prevent episodes.