SLEEP WALKING

What is it? Sleepwalking is when someone walks or carries out complex activities while not fully awake. It usually occurs during a period of deep sleep. This is at its height during the early part of the night, so it tends to occur in the first few hours after falling asleep. Sleepwalking can start at any age, but is more common in children. It’s thought that at least 20% of children will sleepwalk at least once

There is a genetic predisposition to sleepwalking, which is the diathesis, this is likely to be incomplete arousal, so people’s genes predispose them to be in this state which is a state between sleep and wakefulness. Typical EEG recordings show delta waves plus higher frequency beta waves which are similar to an awaken state.

Predisposing factors Environmental factors Occurs in SWS- slow wave sleep Genetic predisposition between wake and sleep Delta waves- SWS Beta waves- Awake state Occurs when someone in SWS is woken up but the arousal of the brain is incomplete.

Environmental factors Sleep deprivation Drinking alcohol Fever Being a child (More SWS) Hormonal changes

Research Ohayon– sample of 19,136 people from 15 states of the U.S, people with depression 3.5 times more likely to sleepwalk than those without, also people with alcohol abuse were more likely to suffer. Suggests people who already have disorders may be more biologically determined to develop sleep walking Good sample size From 15 states so good population validity

Zarla et al--- 40 patients and recorded sleep walking for baseline night and during recovery sleep after 25 of sleep deprivation, results show that 32 episodes were recorded from 20 sleepwalkers (50%) at baseline whereas recovery sleep resulted in 92 episodes from 36 patients (90%) Findings not found in those who do not sleep walk- suggesting a predisposition Low ecological validity, as not in their own beds

What stages does it occur in? What does the theory suggest about genetics? Name 3 environmental causes of sleepwalking What 2 types of waves occur during sleep walking? What did Ohayon find? Can hormones affect sleep walking? How many people were in Ohayon’s study? Are children or adults more likely to suffer from sleep walking? Why?