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Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking occurs during partial awakening from deep sleep. Some sleepwalkers carry out complex tasks; others simply pace or sit on the edge of the bed, moving their legs repeatedly. Episodes are not harmful and are usually brief. Scientists once believed that sleepwalkers were acting out their dreams, but experts now know that sleepwalking does not occur during a dreaming stage of sleep.
Sleepwalking is common in children and probably occurs because the brain has not yet mastered regulation of sleep and waking. A sleepwalking child should be gently guided back to bed. Although people are more likely to sleepwalk when they are anxious or fatigued, there is little correlation between sleepwalking and psychological problems.
If the condition continues past puberty, the sleepwalker should be evaluated by a doctor to determine if sleepwalking is the result of nighttime epilepsy or is a reaction to medicine or extreme stress.