Sleepwalking and Children
Alternate Names : Somnambulism, Noctambulation
What are the treatments for the condition?
Another person can help the sleepwalker by taking the
following steps.
Gently lead the child back to bed.
Protect the child from accidents or injury.
Install protective gates at stairs and other hazards.
Install door locks so that they are out of the child's reach.
Help the child to avoid becoming overtired or stressed.
The following method has been shown to reduce or
stop sleepwalking. It is thought to interrupt the abnormal sleep pattern.
For a few nights, log the number of minutes that pass from the time
the child falls asleep to the time sleepwalking starts.
On the next few nights, wake the child up 15 minutes before
the time that the sleepwalking episode would start. This timing is based on the
log from the first few nights.
Keep the child awake for 5 minutes.
Follow this plan for 7 nights in a row.
If sleepwalking begins again, repeat this plan for the next 7 days.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
The measures described to change sleep patterns have
no known side effects.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After treatment, the child and parents should continue to
follow preventive measures to the sleepwalking from coming back.
How is the condition monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to
the doctor.
|
Previous section
