Sleep Disorders and Treatment for Sleepwalking

Medical treatment for sleepwalking is necessary when it's caused by an underlying medical problem. In some instances, medications may be prescribed to control sleepwalking. There are also a number of steps a person can take to lessen the impact of sleepwalking.

Tips to Prevent Sleepwalking

There is no known way to absolutely prevent sleepwalking; however, certain steps can be taken to minimize one's risk. These include:

• Get adequate sleep.
• Limit stress. Meditate or do relaxation exercises.
• Avoid any kind of stimulation (auditory or visual) prior to bedtime.

Tips to Protect Yourself When Sleepwalking

These are steps you can take to prevent harm if and when you do sleepwalk:

• Keep a safe sleeping environment, free of harmful or sharp objects.
• Sleep in a bedroom on the ground floor, if possible.
• Lock the doors and windows.
• Cover glass windows with heavy drapes.
• Place an alarm or bell on the bedroom door.

Other Sleepwalking Treatment Options

Relaxation techniques, mental imagery, and anticipatory awakenings are the preferred treatment options for long-term treatment of people with a sleepwalking disorder. Anticipatory awakenings consist of waking the child or person approximately 15-20 minutes before the usual time of a sleepwalking episode, and then keeping him or her awake through the time during which the episodes usually occur.

Relaxation and mental imagery techniques are most effective when done with the help of an experienced behavioral therapist or hypnotist.

Follow-up with your sleep disorders specialist if symptoms persist, or if injury to self or to others occurs.

Read more:   http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/how-is-sleepwalking-treated