What type of behavior is associated with sleepwalking?

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, is a behavior that occurs during the sleep phase of non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Individuals experiencing somnambulism perform complex activities while in a sleep state, which can include walking, sitting up in bed, or even carrying out daily tasks, all while exhibiting a lack of awareness of their actions.

This phenomenon typically occurs during the deep sleep stages and is characterized by a person appearing to be awake, but they are actually still in a sleep state. The behavior can be associated with factors such as sleep deprivation, stress, or certain medications. It is distinct from other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, which involves sudden sleep attacks, insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, and sleep talking, which usually occurs less invasively compared to sleepwalking.

Understanding somnambulism helps in differentiating it from these other sleep disturbances and managing the safety of individuals who may exhibit this behavior during their sleep episodes.