This is an abnormal situation whereby a person rises up from deep sleep and walks about in an apparent state of sleep. Through much mystery and myths may be attached to this occurrence, random and harmless event nearby the victim is even do unaware of what is going on. With some very severe cases, the sleeping person apart from taking a walk, might perform other complex activities. This act if sleepwalking is more common in children and young adults and may be accompanied with bed-wetting and sleep-talking but adults are also victims but are rare. There may be no specific cause of the problem and most times, the victim may grow out of the condition with time. But some related factors may include situations where one is deprived of adequate sleep for a very long period of time and later falls into a deep sleep with a mindset of whatever activities was going on before the sleep.
Sleepwalking can also be caused by the following reasons:
- It might be due to some emotional stress or severe anxiety before the sleep.
- Effects and use of sedative drugs, herbal concoctions, alcohol and other few substance or hard drugs may also contribute.
- Severe feverish conditions and circulating infection in the body which may make the victim to hallucinate and act abnormally, sleepwalking may just occur a few times, but where it reoccurs frequently, it may be a sign of a more serious condition including emotional distress or sleep-disorders whereby the person experience what is know as sleep-terrors with frequent nightmares. Also, there may be a family history of sleepwalking.
MANAGEMENT OF SLEEPWALKING SHOULD INCLUDE TAKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS
To ensure the safety of the victim. They should not be allowed to sleep alone in the house or room, if possible, should sleep in grown floor or on a lower bed (not double bunk bed). Also, ensure the windows and doors are well secured.
It is advisable to maintain other needful supervisions in the house within the house medical intervention becomes necessary of the case ocvirs persistently and this would inside carrying out extensive investigationa so as to discover any under-lying health decisions and follow it up with appropriate treatment. With other forms of counselling and supportive relaxation techniques. As may be requires.
It is very inappropriate to label the victim with evi-name calling or stigmatization, rather all attempts must be made to give the necessary support and care.
