Sleepwalking - Treatment

Treatments

In children, Sleepwalking usually does not need to be treated. In adults medications may be required and can be lifesaving.

The treatment of Sleepwalking is aimed at lessening the frequency and intensity of the events, which comprise of the following measures:

• Preventive measures
• Behavioral therapy and medications

1. Preventive measures

Sleep hygiene measures are important for all sleepwalkers as this helps to balance the sleep patterns and reduce the incidence of Sleepwalking.

2. Behavioral therapy and Medications

In children, sleepwalking usually does not require treatment although it pays to recognize the risks early in order to mitigate them. If sleepwalking is not a chronic problem, self-hypnosis may actually benefit both adults and children in offsetting sleepwalking events.

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In adults, especially in cases of sleep-related injury, medications may be required and can be lifesaving.

Long-term treatment with the drug containing benzodiazepine has been found to be safe and remarkably effective in adults. The side effects and abuse of the drug is found to be low. Clonazepam (Klonopin), 0.25 to 1.5 mg taken 1 hour before sleep onset, is usually effective.

Alternatively, paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil),diazepam (Valium), imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil), or Alprazolam (Xanax), may be employed.