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Walk on the Dark Side

Mike Thompson reports on a disturbing phenomenon – sleepwalking

Dangerous as well as embarrassing, sleepwalking remains a mystery, while its results can be both upsetting and unpredictable. Despite their popular image as zombie-like figures who stumble about with outstretched arms, sleepwalkers are often capable of performing complex acts. Dr Peter Fenick says their capabilities are surprising. ‘I’ve known sleepwalkers who have got onto motorbikes, ridden horses, and driven cars.’  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Some sleep disorder experts believe that such complex behaviour occurs when the individual is suffering from nocturnal blackouts or amnesia. These produce what is called the ‘fugue’ state. In this condition, the individual enters a lighter state of sleep and can cope more easily with lengthier and more complicated tasks than the average sleepwalker, who is usually back in bed within fifteen minutes.

Whatever the definition given, however, few people are as clear-thinking and articulate when they are asleep as Janet Brierly from London, who found that her phone bill had mysteriously trebled. She later discovered why. Friends would remark on lengthy late-night calls she had made to them (many of them international), none of which she remembered.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol. She has since been forced to hide her telephone in a drawer at night.

It is estimated that as many as one in three children and one in twenty adults sleepwalk at some time. Experts believe the condition is most common among children and the elderly, though the reason for this remains a mystery. What is now becoming clear is that sleepwalking tends to run in families. Stress or anxiety are believed to be major causes.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Sleepwalking is thought to start about ninety minutes after a person goes to sleep.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol. It leads to little more than a walk round the bedroom or the opening of a few drawers. Injuries most often occur when sleepwalkers believe they are somewhere they are not: windows, stairs and electrical appliances can lead to disaster.

Nancy Harrison from Wiltshire woke up shivering one night to find the bedroom window wide open and her husband Robert's bed empty.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol. ‘I assumed Robert had gone to the bathroom. But when I went to close the window, I saw his body lying on the lawn. I was really scared. I couldn't believe he could still be alive, and I dashed downstairs. But when I bent down to check if he was still breathing, I discovered he was unhurt and still asleep.’ In another instance, a Birmingham woman poured hot water over herself while she was sleepwalking.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Trying to find the root cause of the problem of why people sleepwalk is not straightforward. There are several sleep laboratories and clinics around the country, but most concentrate on treating more common complaints such as snoring or insomnia. To see a specialist, you need to be referred by your own doctor, who may first try you on sleeping pills.  She does not look forward to turning the lights out at night.These work by temporarily stopping the body entering the phase of sleep which accompanies sleepwalking.It turned out that she had been making them in her sleep.When she woke up five hours later, she was covered in red marks.It may seem amazing, but all these kinds of things are possible.In the majority of cases, the experience is quite uneventful.She did not realise that anything was wrong at first.Others include severe tiredness or the excessive consumption of alcohol. Their addictive nature, however, means they can only be a short-term solution.