What should I do if a family member is sleepwalking?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sleepwalking in a family member is best handled by calmly and gently guiding them back to bed—avoid startling or waking them abruptly. To prevent injury, secure the environment by locking doors and windows, removing tripping hazards, blocking staircases, and storing away sharp or dangerous objects.

Occasional sleepwalking is usually harmless, but frequent episodes may signal an underlying issue such as stress, sleep deprivation, sleep apnea, or another medical condition. If you're unsure whether your loved one's sleepwalking warrants concern, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand potential causes and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Sleepwalking can be a common sleep disorder where a person walks or performs other activities while not fully awake. It is important to ensure the safety of the sleepwalker and those around them.

Here are some steps you can take:

Stay Calm: Try not to panic. Speak softly and avoid startling the sleepwalker.
Guide Them Back to Bed: Gently lead them back to bed. Do not forcibly wake them up as this can cause confusion or distress.
Ensure Safety: Make sure the environment is safe by removing sharp objects and obstacles that could cause injury.
Seek Medical Advice: If sleepwalking happens often, it may be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider to explore possible causes or treatments.

For more information on sleep disorders, you can refer to the medical literature provided. If you're experiencing concerning symptoms related to sleep or other health issues, try our free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be affecting you. If you have concerns about mental health, visit 988lifeline.org.

(References)

Idir Y, Lopez R, Barbier A, Saint-Auret S, Morain E, Vollhardt R, et al. (2025). Talking to sleepwalkers? Response to communication .... Sleep, 39569604.
Attarian H, & Zhu L. (2013). Treatment options for disorders of arousal: a case series. The International journal of neuroscience, 23510075.
Soca R, Keenan JC, & Schenck CH. (2016). Parasomnia Overlap Disorder with Sexual Behaviors .... Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 27166304.

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