Do you really know?

How do I know if I sleepwalk?

May 6, 2025

Sleepwalking occurs during deep sleep and can manifest as anything from sitting up to full-on walking. Surprisingly, up to 20% of children experience it at least once, while about 4% of adults might too. Most kids outgrow the condition, and genetics may play a role. The episode also tackles how to recognize if you're sleepwalking and discusses the intriguing legal implications of actions taken during these unconscious episodes. It's a fascinating dive into a sleep disorder that many might not fully understand!

04:53

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Quick takeaways

Sleepwalking can occur during deep sleep and manifests in various ways, not just through walking, with prevalence notably higher in children.

The legal implications of sleepwalking raise questions about accountability for actions taken during episodes, highlighting the need for reliable diagnosis.

Deep dives

Understanding Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a disorder that occurs during deep sleep and can manifest in various ways beyond just walking, such as rubbing eyes or talking. The condition is more prevalent in children, with 1 in 5 children experiencing at least one episode, while adults have a lower prevalence of about 4%. Adults may only become aware of their sleepwalking through accounts from family members or signs like waking up in unusual places with no memory of events. It is also noted that genetic factors may contribute to the tendency to sleepwalk, indicating a potential inherited aspect to the disorder.

Understanding Sleepwalking: Insights and Implications

5min

Sleepwalking is a disorder that comes on during the deep sleep phase, from one to three hours after falling asleep. Episodes can last from 5 to 30 minutes and despite the condition’s name, they don’t always involve walking. Often people just rub their eyes, sit up on their bed or talk in their sleep.

According to the NHS, one in five children will sleepwalk at least once in their life. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that prevalence in adults is up to 4%. So it’s clearly more common in kids than in adults, and most kids tend to grow out of it when they hit their teens. Bear in mind a tendency to sleepwalk can be inherited.

Is it a common disorder? How on earth am I as an adult going to realise if I sleepwalk? How responsible are we for our actions when sleepwalking? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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