Adult Sleepwalking

[Yeshua87]

As a child and adolescent, I would sleepwalk frequently. I was told that in the early teen years, most people grow out of this. I am nearly 26 and still sleepwalk frequently (1-2 times per month). The episodes usually involve eating, or doing some mundane task such as; brushing my teeth, washing my hands, changing my clothes. There have been a few instances of extreme episodes such as; showering, walking a few blocks from my home, and even driving on 2 occasions. What would be causing this at my age? And is there any way that I can prevent the episodes?

*I usually have some memory of the episode. It is like I am aware of what I am doing, but it feels like a dream. If something wakes me, I am very disoriented, as the details from the dream fade and are replaced by the fact that it is the middle of the night and it was not entirely a dream. The episodes usually occur shortly after falling asleep or shortly before morning.*

[Yeshua87]

This makes sense. Several years ago my family doctor diagnosed me with generalized anxiety, acute panic disorder, and OCD. I was on medication (citalopram and lorazopam) for several months. Later, I tapered off of the medication. I began seeing a personal trainer, adjusted my diet, and saw a cognitive therapist, and most of the debilitating symptoms went dormant. I still suffer from residual symptoms of anxiety: excessive sweating, IBS, and occasional insomnia. From what you are saying, the sleepwalking may be also be a residual symptom of the anxiety?

I was also on Trazadone for a while, to help with the insomnia. I did not like it at all, especially when I learned that it was not a sleep aid, but an anti-psychotic. So, I abruptly stopped. Looking back, I never had an episode of sleep walking while I was on the Trazadone

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Somnambulism or sleep walking in adults may be a symptom of a psychological disorder or of drug use. It has been reported in patients with schizophrenia, hysteria and anxiety neuroses. Other than that it may be found in medical conditions, such as partial complex seizures. You should consult a psychiatrist and get evaluated for all these conditions.
Drugs like low dose of benzodiazepines, clonazepam, and tricyclic antidepressants may be needed.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.