What is somnambulism? Experts decode the condition of sleep-walking

Updated On: 22 May, 2023 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanishka D’Lyma

The death of an Indian teen in Singapore due to sleepwalking once again puts the focus on this condition. Experts decode how to gauge and work around it with self-care and family support

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Instead of abruptly waking up a person who is sleepwalking, gently guide them back to bed. Representation pics

Last week, this newspaper reported the death of a Kandivali-based teen after he sleep-walked and fell from the tenth-floor balcony of a Singapore hotel while on vacation with his parents. Dr Joy Desai, director, neurology and The Sleep Clinic at The Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre at Pedder Road contextualises the condition in light of this unfortunate incident. Also known as somnambulism, it is the act of walking during sleep without awareness. He elaborates, “When we transition into sleep from wakefulness, the electrical record of the brain (electroencephalogram) progressively slows down, and results in the inability to maintain awareness of the surroundings, and our response to change. During this phase, we cannot perform purposeful or semi-purposeful acts.” It is called NREM or Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, and is usually followed by REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

Medical and mental health professionals can help you manage sleepwalking