Q: Whom should we consult if a person is suffering from parasomnias?
A: Parasomnias and other sleep disorders need be evaluated and treated at accredited sleep disorder centers by a sleep specialist.
Q: I am curious to know how sleepwalkers walk with their eyes closed?
A: Sleepwalkers engage in their activities with their eyes open,in order to navigate through their surroundings. They do not walk with their eyes closed and their arms outstretched as parodied in cartoons.
Q: Is Sleepwalking harmful?
A: Most sleepwalkers don't sleepwalk often, so its not a serious problem usually . However, a sleepwalking child isn’t awake and so may not realize what he or she is doing, such as walking down stairs or jumping through an open window. Such episodes become hazardous.
Q: Is a sleepwalker aware of what he is doing?
A: A sleepwalker is usually not aware of his acts and will not remember them in the morning.
Q: What should we do if we see a child sleepwalking?
A: Don'ts panic or awaken the sleepwalker because this might scare the child. Instead, gently guide him or her back to bed.
Q: Could there be an underlying psychiatric disorder to cause sleepwalking?
A: Sleepwalking is not usually a sign that something is emotionally or psychologically wrong with a child. Besides it does not cause any emotional harm. Sleepwalkers tend to go back to bed on their own and probably won’t even remember the night- time stroll.
Q: Is Night Terror and Nightmare the same?
A: A night terror is not the same thing as a nightmare. Nightmares occur during the dream phase of sleep known as REM sleep. The circumstances of the nightmare will frighten the child, who usually will wake up with a vivid memory of a long movie-like dream.
Night terrors, on the other hand, occur during a phase of deep non-REM sleep - usually an hour or two after the child goes to bed. During a night terror, which may last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, the child is still asleep. The child’s eyes may be open, but she is not awake. When she does wake up, she#$#ll have no recollection of the episode other than a sense of fear.
Q: Can I Help My Child During a Night Terror?
A: Its helpful to know that although these events may be disturbing, night terrors themselves are not harmful to the child. However as the child may get out of bed and run around the room, doctors do advise parents to gently restrain the child experiencing night terrors. It is best to let the episode run its course. Shouting and shaking the child awake will just agitate him more.
Q: Can Night Terrors Be Prevented?
A: Its likely that if you or your spouse had night terrors, your child will too. Fatigue and psychological stress may also play a role in their occurrence. Make sure your child is getting plenty of rest. Be aware of events that may be upsetting your child. Try to minimize such events as much as possible.
Q: Why is it that only a few children are susceptible to bedwetting?
A: Bedwetting is usually inherited and there is a good chance that a close relative or a parent also did it when he or she was a kid.
Q: When will bedwetting stop?
A: Bedwetting is extremely common among kids who are under the age of 6, and it may last up to the pre-teen years. The good news is that almost all kids who wet the bed eventually stop. Bedwetting will go away by its own. In fact, 15 out of 100 kids who wet the bed will stop every year without any treatment at all.
