Q: My husband and I have just taken our son to see our local doctor. We went to the city to see a neurologist earlier in the year. The problem is that our son is a sleepwalker. Both doctors have assured us that nothing is terribly wrong with our boy, but we still think that we could do something about it. Do you have any suggestions?
A: It was wise to talk to your doctor and a neurologist. For the most part nothing is necessarily wrong with people who sleepwalk, but checking to make sure that your son is otherwise OK is always reassuring.
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Sleepwalking is one of those conditions for which everyone seems to have an opinion but about which little is known.
Medical research has yet to come up with any kind of understanding about what may cause it. Sleepwalking appears to run in families and that would suggest that it has something to do with genetics.
The rough estimates are that 15 percent of children sleepwalk. The good news is that sleepwalking disappears once children have passed through adolescence and into their adult responsibilities. Only one percent of adults sleep- walk.
Children who sleepwalk are most likely to do so when they are overtired, under stress, feverishor when they have gotten into intoxicating medications.
You can assist your son by helping him to relax and feel more secure around bedtime, making sure that he is well rested, and discouraging him from participating when his friends are experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
The greatest problem with sleepwalking is that children will fall and hurt themselves whenthey are wandering around the house.
Make sure that stairwells are inaccessible to him, that sharp objects are not likely to get in his way, and that his toys and clothes are not underfoot.
If you see your son sleepwalking, don’t be afraid to wake him up. He will likely be confused for a few moments, but he will not otherwise be hurt when you bring him out of his sleep.
Of course, that is not always easy. When children sleepwalk in the early evening they are often into deep and heavy sleeps. Rousing them can be difficult.
If the sleepwalking gets out of hand you will likely want the family doctor to check into various medications to help your son.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan who has taught social work at two universities. Mail correspondence in care of Western Producer, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or e-mail jandrews@producer.com.
