Like any usual night, you wake up as always to get a glass of water. But, on your way to the kitchen, you see your big sister quietly wandering in the living room. You call them, but there aren’t responding.

Then it dawns on you. They are sleepwalking. You stand there, hesitant. Should you wake your sister up or not? What happens if you wake up a sleepwalker? Then you remember the stories. Waking a sleepwalker can cause a heart attack or even death.

However, the stories do not have a scientific basis. There are just myths that should be ignored.

Is Sleepwalking A Sign of Mental Illness?

One of the main triggers for sleepwalking is experiencing high or chronic stress, which means your mental health could be causing you to sleepwalk. Research shows that experiencing episodes of anxiety and anger throughout the day may increase the chances for those prone to sleepwalking.

In addition, certain mental health conditions may increase a person’s risk of experiencing sleepwalking, including:

• Major depression disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Alcohol abuse and substance abuse disorders
• Schizophrenia

Why Can’t You Wake Up A Sleepwalker?

What happens if you wake up a sleepwalker? It is dangerous to wake up a sleepwalker. No one can predict how a sleepwalker will react when awakened, so it’s best to avoid waking a sleepwalker if possible.

1. A Sleepwalker can be unsafe while sleeping

A sleepwalker can fall down the stairs, bump into obstacles around the house, and get seriously hurt. Even worse, they can walk out of the house and head into the streets.

2. It can lead to sleep disorders to non-sleepwalkers

A sleepwalker who shouts, sings, or talks will disrupt your sleep. And if they decide to move furniture around the house, the noise will keep you up. If your sleep disruption is not managed, you’re more likely to develop sleep disorders.

3. They pose a risk to other people

In a severe case of sleepwalking, a sleepwalker can walk up to their car, get in and start it and be ready to drive. If a sleepwalker ends up driving, they are more likely to cause an accident.

Experts still discourage waking sleepwalkers, as in most cases waking sleepwalkers is unsuccessful and can be shocking, disorienting, confusing and even hurtful.

How to Wake Up A Sleepwalker Safely?

As sleepwalkers are not fully conscious, they may pose unexpected reactions or ignore you completely. Also, waking up a sleepwalker improperly can bring out violent reaction from them that it could harm the person who tries to help.

So what should you do if you find someone sleepwalking? There are some tips to help them:

1. Try gently calling their names

Don’t shout to them and use soothing language to recommend that they return to bed.

2. Avoid any sudden physical contact

If you must wake a sleepwalker due to concerns for their safety and they are not responding to other methods, it is best to awaken them using loud noises than shaking them.

3. Avoid forceful actions whenever possible

You should only switch to more forceful actions if you believe they are about to injure themselves or another person.

If you bump into a sleepwalker. You can lead them back to bed, or you can stay and observe them and it’s important to look out for your own safety first.

Conclusion

Typically, sleepwalkers wake up and return to bed on their own terms. When a person finally wakes up, they usually have little memory of sleepwalking. As long as they seem unlikely to harm themselves or others around them, it is advisable not to wake someone up while they are sleepwalking. You can try to calmly bring them back to bed and watch them to make sure they don’t hurt themselves.