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Should you wake a sleepwalker?

Can you wake them? | Sleepwalking | Sleeping problems | Sleep disorders

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If you wake a sleepwalker, will they die?

It's very unlikely that you'll harm someone if you wake them when they're sleepwalking.

'But it's safer to tell them to go back to bed. People who are sleepwalking are in deep sleep, so waking them causes a temporary condition called "sleep drunkenness" where people are disorientated. In children it may cause distress,' says Dr Chris.

So guide them back to bed and if they do wake up reassure them that everything is ok.

If you sleepwalk will you sleeptalk too?

'You may, but not necessarily,' says Dr Chris. 'Sleepwalking often happens during deep sleep, whereas sleeptalking occurs in light sleep.'

Sleeptalking is not very coherent. The person might mumble or say random words or phrases, and are unlikely to give away any secrets - so if your man mentions another woman's name in his sleep, it doesn't mean he's having an affair!

Like sleepwalking, people rarely remember that they were talking in their sleep.

What are the dangers of sleepwalking?

'People who are sleepwalking might put themselves or others in danger without realising it,' says Dr Chris.

It's difficult to pinpoint one specific thing that's dangerous about sleepwalking, but you need to be aware that stairs, sharp objects or opening the front door and walking into the road are dangers for a sleepwalker.

Banging into things or drinking something harmful are dangers too as the person cannot see where they're going or what they're doing.

Someone who sleepwalks might put other people in danger without realising it, such as turning on the gas or starting a fire accidentally.

By Louise O'Connell