Very curious about this?

Question

Is there a connection between sleepwalking and night terrors or nightmares? I asked this yesterday and got no answers.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq0655Ipyz5Ep6epw5ArRM_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080813202327AAguoBq

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm going to try and get this right (1st semester Psy, its been a while). Most of the time, dreaming takes place during REM sleep. During REM, normally, the body enters an almost paralyzed state, preventing us from acting out our dreams (unless the person has a REM sleep disorder). Ever been fighting something in your dream or running in your dream, but it feels like you are barely moving or are moving in slow motion? That is why. Nightmares take place during REM sleep, so it would be impossible to be acting out a nightmare (unless as stated before). Sleepwalking is a non- REM stage 4(deep sleep) sleep disorder. Now, night terrors also occur in non- REM stage 4, or deep sleep. The psy. definition for night terror is a very frightening non- REM sleep episode. During night terrors, ppl awaken in an apparant state of fear, heart rate and breathing are rapid, may scream and sit up in bed. The person is still in deep sleep (although eyes may be open) and unlike a nightmare, can rarely recall the incident in the morning. So with all that said, I don't think there is a connection. I hope that made sense.

Answer 2

nice avatar...

Answer 3

The cause of sleep walking in children is usually unknown but may have to do with fatigue, lack of sleep, or anxiety . Sleep walking in adults can have to do with mental disorders, reactions to drugs and alcohol, or medical conditions such as partial complex seizures . In the elderly, sleep walking may be a symptom of an organic brain syndrome. it doesn't do anything about nightmares.