Symptoms

Sleepwalking usually occurs early in the night — often one to two hours after falling asleep. It's unlikely to occur during naps. A sleepwalking episode can occur rarely or often, and an episode generally lasts several minutes, but can last longer.

Someone who is sleepwalking may:

• Get out of bed and walk around
• Sit up in bed and open his or her eyes
• Have a glazed, glassy-eyed expression
• Not respond or communicate with others
• Be difficult to wake up during an episode
• Be disoriented or confused for a short time after being awakened
• Not remember the episode in the morning
• Have problems functioning during the day because of disturbed sleep
• Have sleep terrors in addition to sleepwalking

Sometimes, a person who is sleepwalking will:

• Do routine activities, such as getting dressed, talking or eating
• Leave the house
• Drive a car
• Engage in unusual behavior, such as urinating in a closet
• Engage in sexual activity without awareness
• Get injured, for example, by falling down the stairs or jumping out a window
• Become violent during the period of brief confusion immediately after waking or, occasionally, during sleepwalking

When to see a doctor

Occasional episodes of sleepwalking aren't usually a cause for concern and typically resolve on their own. You can simply mention the sleepwalking at a routine physical or well-child exam. However, consult your doctor if the sleepwalking episodes:

• Occur often — for example, more than one to two times a week or several times a night
• Lead to dangerous behavior or injury to the person who sleepwalks or to others
• Cause significant sleep disruption to household members or the person who sleepwalks
• Result in daytime symptoms of excessive sleepiness or problems functioning
• Start for the first time as an adult
• Continue into your child's teen years