This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (February 2008)

The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(February 2008)

The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.(March 2008)

This article or section contains too much jargon and may need simplification or further explanation. Please discuss this issue on the talk page, and/or remove or explain jargon terms used in the article. Editing help is available. This article has been tagged since September 2007.

Sleepwalking (also called somnambulism or noctambulism^[1]), under the larger category of parasomnias or sleep disorders where the sufferer engages in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness while he or she is asleep or in a sleeplike state. Sleepwalking is usually defined by, or involves the person affected apparently shifting from his or her prior sleeping position and moving around and performing normal actions as if awake (cleaning, walking and other activities). Sleepwalkers are not conscious of their actions on a level where memory of the sleepwalking episode can be recalled, and because of this, unless the sleepwalker is woken or aroused by someone else, this sleep disorder can go unnoticed. Sleepwalking is more commonly experienced in people with high levels of stress, anxiety or psychological factors and in people with genetic factors (family history) or sometimes a combination of both. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... A parasomnia is any sleep disorder such as sleepwalking, sleep sex, teeth grinding, night terrors, rhythmic movement disorder, REM behaviour disorder, restless leg syndrome, and somniloquy (or sleep talking), characterized by partial arousals during sleep or during transitions between wakefulness and sleep. ... For other uses, see Sleep (disambiguation). ...

A common misconception is that sleepwalking is an individual acting out the physical movements within a dream, but in fact sleepwalking occurs earlier on in the night when rapid eye movement (REM), or the "dream stage" of sleep, has not yet occurred. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes. ...

Explanation

A majority of people move their legs while sleeping; however, sleepwalking occurs when both legs move in synchronization, which is much less common.

Sleepwalking can affect people of any age. It generally occurs when an individual moves during slow wave sleep (during stage 3 or 4 of slow wave sleep - deep sleep)(Horne, 1992;Kales & Kales, 1975).In children and young adults, up to 80% of the night is spent in SWS (50% in infants).^{[citation needed]} However this decreases as the person ages until none can be measured in the geriatric individual.^{[citation needed]} For this reason, children and young adults (or anyone else with a high amount of SWS), are more likely to be woken up and, for the same reasons, they are witnessed to have many more episodes than the older individuals.^{[citation needed]}

Cause

This causes REM atonia, a state in which the motor neurons are not stimulated and thus the body's muscles don't move. Lack of such REM atonia causes REM Behavior Disorder.

Statistics

• 18% of the world's population is prone to sleepwalking.^[2]
• Somewhere between 1% and 16.7% of U.S. children sleepwalk, and juveniles are seen to be those more prone to the activity.^{[citation needed]}
• One study showed that the highest prevalence of sleepwalking was 16.7% for children of 11 to 12 years of age.^{[citation needed]}
• Males are seen to be more likely to sleepwalk than females.^{[citation needed]}

Activities such as eating, bathing, urinating, dressing, or even driving cars,^[3] whistling,^[3] and committing murder^[4][5][6] have been reported or claimed to have occurred during sleepwalking. Contrary to popular belief, most cases of sleepwalking do not consist of walking around (without the conscious knowledge of the subject). Most cases of somnambulism occur when the person is awakened (something or someone disturbs their SWS), the person may sit up, look around and immediately go back to sleep. But these kinds of incidences are rarely noticed or reported unless recorded in a sleep clinic.^{[citation needed]} For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American...

Sleepwalkers engage in their activities with their eyes open so they can navigate their surroundings, not with their eyes closed and their arms outstretched, as often parodied in cartoons and films.^{[citation needed]} The victims' eyes may have a glazed or empty appearance and if questioned, the subject will be slow to answer and will be unable to respond in an intelligible manner.^{[dubious – discuss]}

Hazards

Sleepwalkers are more likely to endanger themselves than anyone else^{[citation needed]}. When sleepwalkers are a danger to themselves or others (for example, when climbing up or down steps or trying to use a potentially dangerous tool such as a stove or a knife), steering them away from the danger and back to bed is advisable. It has even been reported that people have died or were injured as a result of sleepwalking.^[7].^[8] Sleepwalking should not be confused with psychosis. For other uses, see Psychosis (disambiguation). ...

Sleepwalking has in rare cases been used as a defense (sometimes successfully) against charges of murder.

Main article: Sleepwalking murder

Occasionally, sleepwalkers have killed someone, usually a family member, during their sleepwalking act. ...

Dealing with sleepwalkers

Often the best way to deal with a sleepwalker safely is to direct the person back to the bed. However, the person may continue getting up until he or she has accomplished the task that prompted the sleepwalking in the first place. For instance, if a sleepwalker is cleaning - a common sleepwalking activity - assisting in the cleaning may help to end the episode. Telling the person "It looks like you have cleaned it all up" can help him or her to feel as though the "necessary" task has been accomplished. As sleepwalkers do not tend to remember anything said or done while sleepwalking, there is no need to worry about embarrassment to you or the individual afterward.

Somnambulists are highly suggestible. Anything they hear or see may trigger another behavior. Often something said by a person or even on a television will cause the sleepwalker to engage in the activity mentioned, provided it is one to which he or she is accustomed to hearing about or doing. If the sleepwalker is also talking, it may be helpful to ask what he or she is trying to accomplish. Ask very simple questions that can be answered in short, simple replies. If asked a question that requires a long answer or explanation, the sleepwalker is unlikely to respond coherently. Talking during sleepwalking varies from person to person and may not always be useful in dealing with a sleepwalker. Because sleepwalkers are unaware of their present surroundings, they may divulge information that they would otherwise keep secret. They may also exhibit behaviors which would be considered embarrassing, such as urinating in inappropriate places, trying to eat invisible foods, cleaning invisible counters, or even trying to bathe or engage in sexual intercourse. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

In art and culture

The 19th Century German chemist and metaphysician Baron Karl Ludwig von Reichenbach made extensive studies of sleepwalkers, and used his discoveries to formulate his theory of the Odic force. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Carl Ludwig von Reichenbach Baron Dr. Carl (Karl) Ludwig von Reichenbach (full name: Karl Ludwig Freiherr von Reichenbach) (February 12, 1788, Stuttgart - January 19, 1869, Leipzig, Germany) was a notable chemist, geologist, metallurgist, naturalist, industrialist and philosopher, a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Sciences, and considered one of... The Odic force (also called Od [õd], Odyle, Önd, Odes or Odems) is the name given in the mid-19th century to a hypothetical vital energy or life force by Baron Carl von Reichenbach (1788-1869), an accomplished chemist (known for his analysis of creosote, waxy paraffin, and phenol). ...

Sleepwalking has been found as a theme in many dramatic works. It is a major plot element in the classic silent German Expressionist film Das Kabinett des Dr. Kaligari (English title: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) 1920. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks because of her overwhelming guilt and insanity. Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera La Sonnambula is named after its heroine, a sleepwalker. In Dario Argento's Phenomena (1985), the protagonist, Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly), witnesses a murder while sleepwalking. In the film adaptation of Silent Hill, the protagonist's daughter suffers from sleepwalking. In the House episode Role Model, a woman has sex with her ex-husband while sleepwalking and gets pregnant. A silent film is a film which has no accompanying soundtrack. ... F.W. Murnaus Nosferatu German Expressionism, also referred to as expressionism in filmmaking, developed in Germany (especially Berlin) during the 1920s. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (original title: Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari) is a groundbreaking 1920 silent film directed by Robert Wiene from a screenplay written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shakespeare redirects here. ... This article is about Shakespeares play. ... Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole, 1850 Lady Macbeth is a character in Shakespeares play Macbeth. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... Vincenzo Bellini Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini (November 3, 1801 – September 23, 1835) was an Italian opera composer. ... La sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) is an opera semiseria in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini to an Italian libretto by Felice Romani, based on a vaudeville by Eugène Scribe. ... Dario Argento (born September 7, 1940) is an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter. ... Jennifer Connelly stars in horror stylist Dario Argentos spine tingling tale of a young girl who arrives at an eerie Swiss boarding school where the students are being butchered by a vicious serial killer. ... // 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. ... Jennifer Lynn Connelly (born December 12, 1970) is an Academy Award-winning American film actress and former child model. ... Silent Hill is a 2006 horror film directed by Christophe Gans and written by Roger Avary. ... House, also known as House, M.D., is an American medical drama television series created by David Shore and executive produced by Shore and film director Bryan Singer. ... Role Model is the seventeenth episode of the first season of House. ...

Legal defense

In 1846, Albert Tirrell was found not guilty of murder and arson, arguing that if he did do it, he was sleepwalking at the time, the first successful acquittal using a sleepwalking defense in American legal history.^[9] Albert Tirrell was the 22-year old son of a respectable family in Weymouth, Massachusetts, married and living with his wife and two children. ... The Skyline Parkway Motel in Afton, Virginia after an arson fire on July 9, 2004. ...

Kenneth Parks, a 23-year-old, drove his car 15 miles to his in-laws house in May 1987. There, he attacked his father-in-law leaving him unconscious and stabbed his mother-in-law, killing her. He then went to the police station saying, “I think I have killed some people”. He was bloody and his hand was badly injured. Parks was unable to recount anything about the murder, and he had no motives for committing them. He was unemployed, and stressed. He went to sleep that night thinking about how he was going to visit his in-laws the next day with his wife to tell them about his financial and gambling problems. After a year, he was found not guilty of murder or attempted murder. There was an appeal, but his acquittal was upheld. He was not even sentenced to time in a mental ward since “noninsane automatism”, (ie. Sleepwalking) is not legally viewed as a mental disorder. ^[10]

See also

• Dream
• Night terror
• Nightmare
• Sleep paralysis
• Somniloquy (sleep-talking)
• Sleepeating
• Sleep sex

For other uses, see Dream (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Night Terror. ... The current usage of the term nightmare refers to a dream which causes the sleeper a strong unpleasant emotional response. ... The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sleepeating or Nocturnal Eating Syndrome is a parasomnia where people experience recurrent episodes of eating during their sleep, without being aware of it. ... Sleep sex or sexsomnia is a form of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnia (similar to sleepwalking) that causes people to commit sexual acts while they are asleep. ...

References

H2G2 is also an acronym for the The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. ... New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Advertiser is the only local daily newspaper published in Adelaide, South Australia. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• A Sleep Disorder Theory
• Sleepwalking Woman Had Sex With Strangers -- 15 October 2004
• 'Sleepwalker' accused of murder — BBC news article dated 10 March 2005
• Teen 'sleepwalks to top of crane' — BBC news article dated 6 July 2005
• Man Records Himself Talking and Walking in His Sleep at Nate At Night
• Safety of waking sleepwalkers - Straight Dope Staff Report
• Spiegel Online - German Sleepwalker Steps Out of 4th-Floor Window - "A German teenager accidentally climbed out of a fourth-floor window and fell 10 meters to the ground where he kept on sleeping, albeit with a broken arm and leg."