Sleepwalking: the king of sleep disorders
Sleepwalking: between sleep and wakefulness
Today we talk about somnambulism . Who has not heard about people who walk, talk or sit alone when they are sleeping? Often stories and anecdotes are told about one or several members of the family circle who have come to walk alone at home wanting to open doors or windows, or who while sleeping talked or "called" acquaintances.
In addition, after these episodes, when the next morning is told what happened to the protagonist of the event, it is rare that it remembers something. The truth is that the somnambulism , also know as noctambulism It is so strange that it has been wrapped in a haze of rumorology and myths (as the belief that it is advisable not to raise the sleepwalker). This brief article aims to clarify doubts about this phenomenon.
Sleepwalking: definition and symptoms
For Navarro and Tortajada (1994) "sleepwalking is a generally benign sleep disorder characterized by brief episodes of wandering that appear during slow wave sleep (fourth phase), almost in the first third of the night." These episodes, which usually last from 40 seconds to 40 minutes, can include almost any type of behavior or express incoherent or very clear words or phrases.
As for the symptoms, Navarro and Tortajada They give us the following characteristics about the behavior of the sleepwalker person:
- They can lift the sheets, accommodate them and go back to bed and sleep
- Get up and walk around the room or outside of it
- Open your eyes during sleep
- Awkward motor activity
- Play musical instruments
- Drink liquids, etc.
Appearance of sonambulsmo
Sleepwalking is, therefore, a sleep disorder, since it involves an alteration of normal behavior during this phase of day to day and can harm the well-being of the individual. But, beyond its basic effects, sonamulism can begin to manifest itself in different ways.
It is known that this sleep disorder tends to occur in childhood with a prevalence of 20% and its onset usually occurs between the age of 4 to 8 years. Although many scientists claim that in adulthood is rare to find this disorder, there are data that corroborate the existence of this in adults, perhaps not in a high percentage, but in a significant degree of 1 to 3%. In people who live it during adulthood, it should be noted that both in their symptomatology and etiology is different from the sleepwalking proper to childhood.
In a study done by Dr. Guiezzepi Plazzi of the University of Bologna and published in the journal Neurological Science it is stated that in children aged 4 to 6 years it is usually presented more frequently. It also concludes that in some people there is an impulse to have sexual relations during a sleepwalking event, (this is called sexual sleepwalking behavior, or sexomnia).
Causes of sleepwalking
To date, there is no unified theory based on solid evidence that explains the causes of sleepwalking. What seems to be confirmed is that it is hereditary: it has been concluded that between 70 to 80% of sleepwalkers have family members who have had a sleep disorder throughout their lives .
Some mental health professionals indicate that sleepwalking in children is associated with fatigue and anxiety. With regard to the adult stage this could be associated with consumption of some type of drugs.
Treatment of nightlife
As of today there is no specific treatment for this sleep disorder. What do exist are preventive measures, which are aimed at children who suffer and their parents, who must be alert so that when an episode occurs the subject does not endanger their lives.
If these episodes have occurred both in adolescence and adult age, professionals recommend relaxation techniques, and alternative techniques such as hypnosis, yoga, etc. (as long as they serve as complementation to a psychological intervention ). A pharmacological treatment is advisable if the person suffering is an adult and if so indicated by a psychiatrist and according to their indications.
Today science is still working to find the origin of sleepwalking. Meanwhile, we will remain intrigued by the behavior of a person who, while he is asleep, can act as an awakened person.
Bibliographic references:
- Navarro, F. and Tortajada, R. (1994). Behavioral Psychology, Volume 2, Faculty of Psychology University of Málaga and Valencia.
- Dee Unglaub Silverthorn, (2009). Human Physiology, an integrated approach. Madrid: Panamericana Medical Publishing House.
- Horse, V. (2008). Modification and conduct manual. Ecuador: School of Psychological Sciences of the University of Guayaquil.
