It’s 4 a.m. and the house is silent. However, I find myself wide awake, but not in the cozy embrace of my bed. Instead, I’m slouched on the couch, remnants of two popsicles clinging to my fingers, while the third one has melted all over my lap. To make matters worse, I’m completely topless and braless. The television flickers with some random program that I would never choose when fully awake. Yet, the most alarming part? I have absolutely no recollection of how I ended up here. Clearly, I was sleepwalking… again.
Childhood Sleepwalking
As a child, sleepwalking was a common occurrence for me. My mother would tuck me in and turn on her shows in the living room, only to later find me aimlessly wandering the house like a lost soul. I would sometimes fiddle with the front door or rummage through the fridge, and on other occasions, I’d just stand there, blank-faced. The creepiest moments, according to her, were when I’d pace around with a vacant stare, mumbling nonsensical phrases. Thankfully, she always managed to guide me back to bed without waking me; a gentle nudge was usually all it took.
Sleepwalking in Adulthood
While many think sleepwalking is just a childhood issue, it’s not limited to kids. It’s most prevalent in adolescents, with some studies suggesting that about 25% of children who experience frequent sleepwalking will continue to do so into adulthood—resulting in over 8.4 million adults in the U.S. wandering at night.
Having been a lifelong sleepwalker, I’ve noticed a correlation between my episodes and periods of significant stress. Various factors can contribute to sleepwalking disorders, including sleep deprivation, various sleep disorders, substance abuse, medication side effects, heart issues, and psychological conditions such as PTSD and panic attacks.
The Risks of Sleepwalking
Despite its prevalence, adult sleepwalking remains under-researched. According to a recent study, the phenomenon can lead to dangerous situations, inappropriate behaviors, and diminished overall quality of life. Dr. Yves Dauvilliers, the study’s lead author, notes, “We found a higher frequency of daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms and altered quality of life in patients with sleepwalking compared to the control group.” What might seem like a harmless condition can actually pose serious risks.
In recent years, I’ve woken up outside more times than I can count. I’ve found myself perched on the cold cement stairs of my porch, my neck sore from nodding against the wall, and once, I even walked outside, sat on the front porch swing, and ate a bowl of Fruit Loops completely naked. Thankfully, my sleep-addled brain had enough sense to wrap me in a cozy blanket before my late-night snack escapade near a busy street.
I’ve also been known to engage in intimate activities with my partner while still asleep. On occasion, I’ve scribbled incoherent notes on my phone and even taken baths—often waking up to find the water freezing cold and spilling over the tub’s edges.
The Confusion of Awakening
Clearly, this is not a restful night by any means. When I start to come to, confusion washes over me. I’m left grappling with fragmented thoughts, such as: “What am I doing?” “Why am I here?” and “What is happening?” During these episodes, the brain remains partially awake, leading to complex behaviors performed without conscious awareness. There’s a good reason people are advised against waking a sleepwalker abruptly.
Given the potentially hazardous nature of my sleepwalking tendencies, I often experience intense fear upon waking. If startled awake—whether from bumping into something or being jolted by someone—I feel even more frightened and disoriented until I can piece together the events.
Raising Awareness
Dr. Dauvilliers emphasizes that sleepwalking is a serious and “underdiagnosed” condition that needs more awareness and should be destigmatized, as it is completely beyond the sleepwalker’s control. If you want to learn more about sleepwalking and related issues, you can check out this resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
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Conclusion
In summary, sleepwalking is an intriguing yet perplexing phenomenon that can lead to unexpected and often questionable behaviors, especially in adults. It’s crucial to recognize that these actions are beyond conscious control and deserve more understanding and research.