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Sleep walking

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Walking during sleep; Somnambulism

Symptoms:

• Eyes open during sleep
• May have blank look on face
• May sit up and appear awake during sleep
• Walking during sleep
• Other detailed activity of any type during sleep
• Not remembering the sleep walking episode upon awakening
• Confused, disoriented upon awakening
• Sleep talking does not make sense

Signs and tests:

Usually, people won't need further examinations and testing. If the sleep walking occurs often, the doctor may do an exam to rule out other disorders (such as partial complex seizures). If you have a history of emotional problems, you also may need to have a psychological evaluation to look for causes such as excessive anxiety or stress. Or, you may need to have a medical exam to rule out other causes.

• Review Date: 6/4/2007
• Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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