How to Contain a Sleepwalker...?

Updated on July 16, 2011
J.H. asks from Collins, OH
7 answers

Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep a sleepwalker in her room at night so she doesn't leave and possibly hurt herself?

I've been sleepwalking for a couple of years now (that I know of) and it was typically me getting up, going to the kitchen and chugging milk. Then it turned into me getting up, going to the kitchen and eating a granola bar, or cookies, cupcakes, fruit...whatever was on the counter and accessible...and then chugging milk. Last night, I ate two rolls left on the counter from dinner last night...and then made pasta salad and ate that. The macaroni was already cooked, but I had to go to the garage pantry, get the peas and tuna, open them, mix them and mayo into the bowl and THEN start eating.

Hubby works third shift and he's worried about what else I may try to do while I'm sleeping. (He transitions back to 3rd shift on Monday nights and says he's had full conversations with me while I stood naked in front of the fridge with the milk jug in my hand. Typically I walk back to the bedroom and get in bed without incident. Sometimes I walk into walls and other things, at which point he wakes me or gets me back into bed.) Anyway, I need something that will wake me when I leave the bedroom, or won't allow me to leave the bedroom unless I'm awake. We considered some sort of motion censor that would alert hubby at work so he could call me. He, jokingly, suggested putting a dog's shock collar on my ankle and the other part on the door. We thought of child safety door knob things.

Anyone else have to deal with this? Any ideas?

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So What Happened?

I called the doctor and he said there really isn't anything can do and just suggested a chime on the door. Hubby is going to work something up so that when I try to leave the room it'll send him a text and he can call me. (I always wake up when the phone rings cause people don't call in the middle of the night unless it's an emergency!)

I'm not on any sleeping pills or anything.

As far as hubby getting good sleep...he sleeps during the day. We only get to sleep together twice a week typically. So if I sleepwalk on Saturday or Sunday nights, then yes, he's affected.

Thanks for all the help. We're going to get a door chime of sorts and start with that. If it doesn't wake me, then he'll hook a computer up to an alarm system and have it set to text him.

More Answers

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

First alert makes door alarms that are really easy to install (uses an adhesive already on it) They are really loud! They also have an on/off switch so you can have it active only at night. I come from a family of sleepwalkers and my 15yo son does it so I feel your pain. He once sleepwalked into his sister's room then jumped off the top bunk onto the hardwood floor. The worst is when he would sleepwalk at sleepovers, one of the parents caught him trying to get out their back door where they have a pool. I still get chills thinking about how that could've turned out.

4 moms found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Austin on

The alarm would just be a temporary fix. You need something that will allow your husband to also get a good night's sleep, not to mention finding the cause of your elaborate adventures.

If the sleep study doesn't solve the issue, try hypnosis.

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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

You should probably consult with a specialist and have a sleep study done.

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R.P.

answers from Seattle on

My first question would be are you taking any type of sleep aid pills ie. lunesta or ambien. Both can have side effects along these lines.
Also have a sleep study done because somewhere along the line your brain isn't wanting to shut off all the way. You need to find out why.
Then yes find an alarm that will help. My parents when I was sleep walking put a chain on the door that I couldn't reach but that wouldn't really help for you. Find an alarm that will wake you.
Good luck and I hope you figure out whats going on. Be safe!

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L.C.

answers from San Antonio on

Go to Ebay and look for a "Driveway Sensor" $10. It is a motion sensor that will send an alert to a Chime/Alarm in another area. ( or in the same room to awaken the sleepwalker )
I use one outside my Apartment door and have the Chime/Alarm inside so I know when anyone is standing outside my door. Some businesses use them when a client walks in and they are in another area.
You may have the alarm/chime portion in your room so you are alerted when she passes a point in her room heading toward her door, or the alarm can stay in her room, so it wakes only her up?
Hope this helps?

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

SURELY your doctor could refer you to a doctor or specialist who knows these answers!! (I assume you're not taking meds that cause this, right? Like Ambian does for some people?)

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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ditto the door alarm.
But my concern is that if your preparing "meals" while sleepwalking that "dream state" you will simply undo the alarm?? Even simple things like the child safety stuff would just be a waste of money.

I'd also start looking into a home security system that could alert your husband at work, if on chance you leave the house. You'd have to talk to someone who knows those systems to see how/if they could modify it for you kind of situation.

But definitely bring this up with your doctor - ASAP! Although I think your best bet would be to have a roommate or live with family so that when it does happen, there's someone there to keep watch.

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