- Do not frighten the lunatic.
You should not frighten a person during sleepwalking because they are not aware of their behavior, which can lead to panic or disorientation. This can be dangerous, as the individual may accidentally harm themselves or others. Sudden fear can cause significant stress, negatively affecting their physical and psychological condition and exacerbating sleepwalking symptoms. Also, sleepwalking is accompanied by a feeling of security during sleep and, if you scare a person during this time, you can disrupt this security, causing anxiety or fear of sleep. It is best to calmly accompany the person back to bed, ensuring their safety and peace of mind. Be very careful not to hurt yourself or the person with this condition.
- Do not yell at a person for disturbing your rest.
You can’t shout at a sleepwalker, because in most cases, the person may not even remember what happened, so a quarrel will not only make no sense, but may also cause additional stress. Except that, negative emotions during an argument can lead to feeling of shame or fear, which can significantly worsen a person’s psychological state, as they will begin associating sleepwalking episodes with negative experiences. Support and understanding from family members can help the person feel safer. Therefore, in the morning, try not to scream, as the sleepwalker cannot control this state. However, after such nights, the sleepwalker and other family members often feel tired and sleepy. In such cases, consider the use of medications like Modalert or Artvigil, which can help restore mental clarity and reduce daytime sleepiness.
- Do not prescribe sleeping pills.
Sleepwalkers should not be given sleeping pills for several reasons. First, these drugs can disrupt the natural sleep cycle and make the situation worse, as they can cause additional disorientation or aggression during episodes. A person already has problems with controlling his sleep and sleeping pills can only make this situation worse. Second, using sleeping pills without consulting a doctor can be dangerous. Sleepwalking can be a symptom of other sleep disorders so treatment should be individualized and in accordance with the diagnosis. Also, sleeping pills can be addictive and have side effects that can negatively affect your overall health. In such situations, it is best to consult a specialist who can offer safe and effective methods of managing sleepwalking.
- You should not give a person food, even if they ask for it.
A sleepwalker often may talk or even ask for food, but consuming food in this condition is dangerous due to the risk of choking or suffocation. This is especially relevant if the food or drink is in a hazardous form, such as hot liquids or solid foods. In such situations, it is best to put food in the refrigerator at night and make sure that the person does not eat anything.
