In this explainer, we explore how these psychological factors contribute to somnambulism and share expert guidance on managing stress to reduce the risk of nocturnal wandering.
Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a complex parasomnia that can be influenced by a variety of psychological factors. While genetics and sleep deprivation play a role, emerging evidence shows that mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can act as powerful triggers for sleepwalking episodes. In this explainer, we explore how these psychological factors contribute to somnambulism and share expert guidance on managing stress to reduce the risk of nocturnal wandering.
Anxiety is a natural response to perceived threats, but when it becomes chronic, it can disrupt sleep architecture and increase the likelihood of parasomnias. Neuroimaging research reveals that heightened amygdala activity during stress can carry over into deep sleep stages, where sleepwalking typically originates. Individuals experiencing generalised anxiety may find themselves more prone to incomplete awakenings during slow-wave sleep, triggering complex behaviors such as walking or performing routine tasks without full consciousness.
Life events that activate the body’s stress response can fragment sleep and provoke somnambulism. Events such as job loss, relationship turmoil, or financial worries often correlate with spikes in cortisol levels. According to Healthline, acute stress events are among the most common triggers reported by sleepwalkers. When the body remains in a state of hyperarousal at bedtime, transitions between sleep stages become unstable, increasing the risk of a sleepwalking episode.
PTSD, a condition hallmarked by intrusive memories and hypervigilance, can profoundly affect sleep quality. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine demonstrates that up to 52 percent of individuals with PTSD experience parasomnias, including sleepwalking. Nightmares and heightened autonomic arousal characteristic of PTSD can precipitate partial arousals from slow-wave sleep, giving rise to complex motor behaviors that are typical of somnambulism.
Psychologists recommend a combination of behavioral and emotional regulation techniques to mitigate stress-induced sleepwalking. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has shown efficacy in reorganising maladaptive sleep habits and reducing nocturnal awakenings. Additionally, mindfulness practices such as guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation can dial down sympathetic activity before bedtime, promoting smoother transitions into restorative sleep. Journaling worries earlier in the evening also offers a structured outlet for anxious thoughts, reducing their intrusion during the night.
Persistent or injurious sleepwalking warrants consultation with a qualified sleep specialist or mental health professional. A comprehensive evaluation may include an overnight polysomnography to rule out other sleep disorders and a psychiatric assessment to identify underlying anxiety or trauma-related issues. In some cases, short-term pharmacotherapy with low-dose sedative agents can be considered to stabilise sleep stages while therapeutic interventions take effect.
Sleep-walking.com is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to educating patients and clinicians about sleepwalking and related disorders. The organisation provides evidence-based articles, expert interviews, and community forums where individuals can share experiences and coping strategies. Their mission is to destigmatise parasomnias and empower those affected to seek timely, compassionate care.
Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a parasomnia characterised by complex behaviors such as walking or performing routine tasks during deep (slow-wave) sleep, without full conscious awareness.
Chronic anxiety heightens amygdala activity and sympathetic arousal, which can persist into deep sleep stages and destabilise sleep-stage transitions, making incomplete awakenings (and thus sleepwalking) more likely.
Major stressors like job loss, relationship turmoil, or significant financial worries, elevate cortisol and fragment sleep, increasing the risk of nocturnal wandering episodes.
Research shows that up to about half of individuals with PTSD report parasomnias, including sleepwalking, driven by nightmares and heightened autonomic arousal.
During slow-wave sleep, the brain can partially awaken while motor pathways activate; this dissociation allows for complex behaviors without conscious awareness.
CBT-I restructures maladaptive sleep habits and reduces nocturnal awakenings, promoting more stable sleep-stage progression and lowering parasomnia risk.
Guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and evening journaling can reduce sympathetic overdrive, ease the mind, and facilitate smoother transitions into restorative sleep.
If sleepwalking is frequent, poses injury risk, or coexists with significant anxiety or trauma symptoms, a sleep specialist or mental health professional should be consulted for evaluation and tailored treatment.
An overnight polysomnography can rule out other sleep disorders and document parasomnia events, while a psychiatric assessment helps identify underlying anxiety or PTSD.
Sleep-walking.com offers evidence-based articles, expert interviews, community forums, and practical coping strategies to educate and support those affected by somnambulism.
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
Each recommendation is grounded in evidence, ensuring you have reliable guidance to reduce the likelihood of sleepwalking episodes.
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