sleepwalking

sleep·walk·ing

S0470350 (slēp′wô′kĭng)n. The act or an instance of walking or performing another activity associated with wakefulness while asleep or in a sleeplike state. Also called noctambulism, somnambulism.

sleep•walk•ing

(ˈslipˌwɔ kɪŋ)

n. the act or state of walking while asleep; somnambulism. [1790–1800] sleep′walk`, v.i. -walked, -walk•ing. sleep′walk`er, n.

Thesaurus

Noun

sleepwalking - walking by a person who is asleep noctambulation, noctambulism, somnambulation, somnambulismwalk, walking - the act of traveling by foot; "walking is a healthy form of exercise"sleeping - the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate

sleepwalking

noun somnambulism, noctambulation, noctambulism, somnambulation When she was stressed, her sleepwalking started up again.

Translations

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

(dreams)

Somnambulism—from the Latin somnus (sleep) and ambulus (walking)—involves involuntary motor acts—particularly walking—during sleep. Research indicates that sleepwalking is a normal phenomenon, although it may be more prevalent among these under a lot of stress. Somnambulism occurs most often in pubescence (ages ten to fourteen years), and there is also a genetic component (some families exhibit a greater tendency to sleepwalk than others). There appears to be a relationship between somnambulistic and hypnotic states.

A typical sleepwalking episode is rather short, rarely exceeding thirty minutes. Although seemingly oblivious to external reality, sleepwalkers typically manage to avoid running into objects. They usually make their way back to bed successfully, but sometimes they lie down on the floor or a couch at the conclusion of an active episode.

Contrary to what one might expect, somnambulistic behavior occurs only during the deepest levels of sleep (Stage 4), rather than during the most active dreaming periods. People awakened in the midst of or at the conclusion of a sleepwalking episode are dazed and confused. They are unable to recall dreams that might conceivably be connected with the walking episode, or any part of the actual somnambulistic experience.

sleepwalking

rising from bed and walking or performing other complex motor behavior during an apparent state of sleep; much mystery has been attached to this, although it is no more mysterious than dreaming. The chief difference between the two is that the sleepwalker, besides dreaming, is also using the part of the brain that stimulates walking. This usually occurs during the first third of the night and lasts for a few minutes to a half hour. The sleeper is relatively unresponsive, not easily awakened, and usually amnesic for the episode later. It is most likely to happen during periods of emotional stress and usually ceases when the source of anxiety is removed. In many cases it occurs only once or twice and does not happen again. If it recurs frequently (called sleepwalking disorder) it may stem from serious emotional distress (see sleep disorders). Called also somnambulism.sleepwalking disorder repeated episodes of sleepwalking.

som·nam·bu·lism

(som-nam'byū-lizm), 1. A disorder of sleep involving complex motor acts that occurs primarily during the first third of the night but not during REM sleep. Synonym(s): oneirodynia activa, sleepwalking, somnambulance2. A form of hysteria in which purposeful behavior is forgotten. [L. somnus, sleep, + ambulo, to walk]

sleepwalking

(slēp′wô′kĭng)n. The act or an instance of walking or performing another activity associated with wakefulness while asleep or in a sleeplike state. Also called noctambulism, somnambulism.

sleepwalking

Somnambulism Psychiatry A sleep disorder characterized by walking or other activity while seemingly asleep Etiology, children Fatigue, sleep loss, anxiety Adults Mental disorders, drug reactions, abuse substances, alcohol, medical conditions–eg, partial complex seizures, elderly organic brain syndrome, REM behavior disorders; the activity may include sitting up and appearing awake, while actually asleep, arising and walking around, or complex activities–eg, moving furniture, going to bathroom, dressing and undressing, and other activities, including driving a car; the episode can be very brief–a few secs or mins or last for 30+ mins; sleep walkers may be confused or disoriented after awakening; injuries caused by such things as tripping and loss of balance are common for sleep walkers; SW is most common in children aged 6 to 12 yrs old and may run in families.

sleepwalking

A state of dissociated sleeping and waking common in children, especially boys, and lasting usually for only a few minutes, in which the child gets out of bed and moves about. Sleepwalking in childhood is never purposeful and is of little importance so long as danger from falls is avoided. The child should be guided gently back to bed. Sleepwalking in adults usually has a hysterical basis.

sleepwalking

sleep·walk·ing

sleep•walk•ing

sleepwalking

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

sleepwalking

sleepwalking

som·nam·bu·lism

sleepwalking

sleepwalking

sleepwalking

sleepwalking

Synonyms for sleepwalking

noun somnambulism

Synonyms

Synonyms for sleepwalking

noun walking by a person who is asleep

Synonyms

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