Is sleepwalking ever linked to epilepsy?

Sleepwalking and epilepsy can sometimes be connected. In particular, nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy can cause movements during sleep that look like sleepwalking. This type of epilepsy happens when seizures occur in the frontal lobe of the brain, often during sleep.

• Similarities: Both sleepwalking and nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy can involve walking and other movements while asleep.
• Differences: The cause is different. Sleepwalking is a type of parasomnia, which means unusual behaviors during sleep. Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy is a seizure disorder.

Doctors use different tools to tell them apart, like video polysomnography, which records a person while they sleep to see what happens. Understanding these differences helps doctors give the right treatment.

If you or someone you know experiences sleepwalking or seizures, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and care. For mental health concerns, visit 988lifeline.org.