Washington Post Looks at Sleepwalking in Children
December 22, 2009
A recent article in the Washington Post looks at sleepwalking in children and how it's common and not as dangerous as you think. Sleepwalking, formally known as somnambulism, is a behavior disorder that originates during deep sleep and results in walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep. The article points out that some estimate about 17 percent of children have a sleepwalking experience between the ages of four and 12. According to the Post, doctors don't consider sleepwalking a serious medical problem because most kids outgrow it. While it can be dangerous, especially among adults, there are precautionary measures you can take to reduce the risk of injuries during sleepwalking. "Monitor it, but let it run its course, unless they are headed out the front door," Jodi Mindell, a clinical psychologist at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and a former National Sleep Foundation board member, told the Post.
- Read the Post article.
- Learn more about sleepwalking.
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