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Sleepwalking and sleep terrors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 17, 2025.

What are sleepwalking and sleep terrors?

Harvard Health Publishing

A person who is sleepwalking walks or makes other movements that seem purposeful. This occurs while in a state of partial wakefulness from deep sleep. Contrary to popular belief, sleepwalkers don't act out their dreams. Sleepwalking doesn't take place during the dreaming stage of sleep.

Sleepwalking is also called somnambulism. It is common in school-age children. Repeated sleepwalking is more common in boys. It may be associated with nighttime bedwetting.

Sleepwalking probably occurs because the brain's ability to regulate sleep/wake cycles is still immature. Most children outgrow the symptoms as their nervous systems develop. Sleepwalking that begins later in life or lasts into adulthood may have specific causes including sleep deprivation, extreme stress, use of certain medications or substances such as alcohol, other underlying sleep disorders, or, rarely, medical causes such as epilepsy. Sleepwalking, especially when occasional, is usually not a cause for concern, however.

Sleep terrors are a disorder in which a person wakes up quickly in an extremely frightened state. Sleep terrors (also called night terrors) are related to sleepwalking. The disorder usually occurs in young children.

Sleepwalking and sleep terrors tend to run in families.

Symptoms of sleepwalking and sleep terrors

Sleepwalkers make purposeful movements while in a state of partial awakening from deep sleep. Some sleepwalkers simply sit up in bed and move their legs. Others carry out more complex tasks. These may include dressing and undressing, eating, or urinating.

Sleepwalking episodes usually occur one to two hours after going to sleep. They last from one to 30 minutes. A sleepwalker has open eyes and a blank expression. He or she is usually difficult, if not impossible, to awaken. The next morning, he or she won't remember the episode.

In sleep terrors, a child suddenly sits up in bed one or two hours after falling asleep. During the sleep terror, the child:

A sleep terror episode may last for 10 to 20 minutes. As the disturbance subsides, the child returns to deep sleep. When the child wakes up in the morning, he or she cannot recall the sleep terrors.

Sleep terrors are different from nightmares. Nightmares are frightening dreams that often can be recalled the next morning in vivid detail.

Diagnosing sleepwalking and sleep terrors

A person's history usually provides enough information for a doctor to diagnose sleepwalking. This is particularly true in children.

More difficult cases may require a consultation with a sleep specialist. The specialist may recommend an overnight sleep test called polysomnography. During this test, various body functions, including brainwave recordings, are recorded while the person is sleeping.

Expected duration of sleepwalking and sleep terrors

Children usually stop sleepwalking during adolescence. Sleepwalking continues beyond puberty in a small percentage of people.

Sleep terrors are most common between the ages of 1 and 8. However, they may begin as early as 6 months and occasionally last into adulthood.

Preventing sleepwalking and sleep terrors

Children are more likely to sleepwalk or experience sleep terrors when they are overtired or anxious. Provide a relaxing bedtime routine for your child. Follow it up with an early bedtime to help prevent sleep disturbances.

Avoid sleepwalking injuries by making the bedroom and house as safe as possible. Consider the following precautions:

Treating sleepwalking and sleep terrors

Usually, treatment is not necessary. Most episodes of sleepwalking or sleep terrors go away on their own. Focus on keeping the sleepwalking child safe.

To help a sleepwalking child return to normal sleep, gently lead the child back to bed. During an episode of sleep terrors, offer reassurance with repeated, soothing statements such as, "You are safe. You are home in your own bed." You don't need to wake the child. You may not even be able to.

A technique called prompted awakenings may help to prevent future episodes in children with frequent sleepwalking or night terrors. For several nights, record the length of time between when the child falls asleep and the sleepwalking or night terrors begin. Then for seven nights in a row, awaken the child 15 minutes before the expected time of the episode. Tell the child at bedtime that you will try to wake him or her quickly. Keep the child fully awake for five minutes.

If psychological stress contributes to disordered sleep, counseling may help. Both children and adults may benefit from hypnosis or biofeedback.

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe short-acting sleep or antianxiety medications to reduce or eliminate episodes.

When to call a professional

Seek professional help if:

Prognosis

Sleepwalkers occasionally injure themselves or others. But most episodes of sleepwalking and sleep terrors are brief and harmless. Episodes tend to stop before adulthood.

Additional info

American Academy of Sleep Medicine
https://www.aasmnet.org/


Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.