Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder characterized by complex motor behaviors and actions that occur during non-REM sleep. Sleepwalkers can perform activities such as walking, talking, and eating while they are asleep, and they usually have no recollection of these actions when they wake up. Sleepwalking episodes can be triggered by factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol consumption, and certain medications. Treatment for sleepwalking may involve addressing any underlying medical or psychological conditions, improving sleep hygiene, and taking measures to ensure the safety of the sleepwalker and others around them during episodes, such as locking doors and windows or removing any potential hazards from the sleepwalker's environment. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking is classified as a parasomnia — an undesirable behavior or experience during sleep. Sleepwalking is a disorder of arousal, meaning it occurs during N3 sleep, the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Another NREM disorder is sleep terrors, which can occur together with sleepwalking.

Many factors can contribute to sleepwalking, including:

• Sleep deprivation
• Stress
• Fever
• Sleep schedule disruptions, travel or sleep interruptions

Sometimes sleepwalking can by triggered by underlying conditions that interfere with sleep, such as:

• Sleep-disordered breathing — a group of disorders featuring abnormal breathing patterns during sleep (for example, obstructive sleep apnea)
• Taking certain medications, such as hypnotics, sedatives or certain medications used for psychiatric disorders
• Substance use, such as alcohol
• Restless legs syndrome
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Treatment for occasional sleepwalking usually isn't necessary. In children who sleepwalk, it typically goes away by the teen years.

If sleepwalking leads to the potential for injury, is disruptive to family members, or results in embarrassment or sleep disruption for the person who sleepwalks, treatment may be needed. Treatment generally focuses on promoting safety and eliminating causes or triggers.

Treatment may include:

• Treating any underlying condition, if the sleepwalking is associated with sleep deprivation or an underlying sleep disorder or medical condition
• Adjusting medication, if it's thought that the sleepwalking results from a drug
• Anticipatory awakenings — waking the person who is sleepwalking about 15 minutes before he or she usually sleepwalks, then staying awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again
• Medication — such as benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants
• Learning self-hypnosis — when done by a trained professional who is familiar with parasomnias, people who are receptive to suggestions during hypnosis may benefit by achieving a deep state of relaxation through which a change in unwanted activities during sleep is promoted
• Therapy or counseling — a mental health professional can help with suggestions for improving sleep, stress-reduction techniques, self-hypnosis and relaxation