Sleepwalking
Katie, Luke and Justin
According to the May 15, 2012 issue of Neurology researchers found that 8.4 million Americans sleepwalk
- Sleepwalking -
Sleepwalking is under the parasomnia classification, which means it is an undesirable behavior or experience during sleep. It occurs during slow wave sleep, which is the deepest stage of dreamless or non-rapid eye movement sleep.
During sleepwalking you walk and move and use motor functions without knowledge.
Benzodiazepines or tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to help treat sleepwalking.
- Symptoms -
- Sitting up in bed
- Repeating movements such as rubbing eyes and tugging on pajamas
- looking dazed
- not responding when spoken to
- being difficult to wake up
- being clumsy
- sleep talking
- urinating in undesirable places
People usually have their eyes open while sleepwalking
- causes -
- 10 x more likely to occur if first-degree relative has history of sleepwalking.
- sleep deprivation, chaotic sleep schedules, fever, stress, magnesium deficiency, alcohol intoxication, drugs.
- length and depth of slow wave sleep, which is greater in children
there has been about 70 reported cases of someone killing someone while sleepwalking
- associated medical conditions -
- abnormal heart rhythms
- fever
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- nighttime asthma
- nightime seizures
- sleep apnea
- psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, dissociative states like multiple personality disorder
Adults can hallucinate while sleepwalking
Step Brothers
In the movie Step Brothers, the two brothers, Brennan and Dale trash the house they live in while asleep.
Hannibal
In NBC's Hannibal TV series, Will Graham experiences sleepwalking on several occasions. Because of that he suffers panic attacks, hallucinations, high fever, depersonalization, 'seizures', and depression.
Donnie Darko
In the movie Donnie Darko, Donnie sleepwalks on several occasions. In this scene Donnie is hallucinating the presence of Frank the bunny. Frank is trying to convince Donnie to burn down a house.