Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder that causes a person to engage in activities associated with being awake while they are asleep. The sleepwalker generally will have no memory of their activity and unless discovered by someone, might go undiagnosed. An episode of sleepwalking may last for a few seconds or up to half-an-hour.
Some risk factors for sleepwalking:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Psychological issues
- Genetic predisposition
- Use of the sleep aid Zolpidem
Sleepwalking can affect people of any age, but is more prominent in children and young adults. A sleepwalking person can put themself or others in danger and often suffer minor injuries from tripping or losing their balance during an episode. There have been documented deaths due to sleepwalkers falling out of tall buildings.