Why can’t you wake up a sleepwalker?
The amygdala, which affects feelings of fear or anxiety, can become more active as a result of the startle response. The behavior of a sleepwalker when startled resembles a fight-or-flight reaction. They could hurt themselves or the person waking them up if they lash out or fall.
Please continue reading so I can give you more specific information regarding why you can’t wake up a sleepwalker.
Table of Contents
Never Shake Or Hit A Sleepwalker
The general consensus is that it is dangerous to awaken a sleepwalker because you run the risk of hurting them, possibly by causing a heart attack or a level of shock that is fatal.
While it is true that it is best not to wake a sleepwalker, Harriet Hiscock, a consultant pediatrician with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, says the heart attack and “killer shock” portions of the story are myths.
“When someone is sleepwalking, they are caught between deep sleep and light sleep, and if you try to wake them up, they will be very confused and disoriented, according to Professor Hiscock.
“Even though trying to wake someone up can be challenging, you can agitate them even if you don’t kill or give them a heart attack.”
If possible, she advises against waking someone up.
Ways To Wake Up A Sleepwalker
But what if it’s not possible to let a sleepwalker handle things on their own? What if, for example, they are stepping out into the street or stepping into a vehicle?
“It’s not supposed to be this difficult, has been a frequent thought that has kept me up at night. However, it gets harder to come up with a solution the less sleep you get. What advice do the experts offer then to assist?
Professor Hiscock suggests gently guiding someone back to their proper position by taking their hand or elbow without waking them up.
“If you don’t completely wake them up, they usually won’t remember anything the next day, she adds. They might actually talk to you, though it might not make much sense.
It is best to wake a sleepwalker if you are having trouble removing them from danger; however, call their name or speak clearly to them rather than shaking or hitting them.
The Health Claim Evidence
There is a widespread belief that sleepwalkers shouldn’t be awakened. Some people believe that waking the sleepwalker will increase his risk of suffering a heart attack. The majority do agree that the person walking is more dangerous, though.
Some people do become aggressive when awakened from the non-REM (rapid eye movement) phase of the sleep cycle, which is when sleepwalking occurs, according to research on related forms of sleep pathology. According to one study, sleep drunkenness, which is a condition similar to sleepwalking, was responsible for 20 murder cases and 30 criminal offenses. Because of potential resistance and violence, other studies also advise against waking up sleepwalkers.
Against The Health Claim Evidence
According to an old myth, the soul departs the body while we sleep, and if a sleepwalker is awakened, they will be a body without a soul. Leaving aside metaphysical justification, it is largely untrue that sleepwalkers will act in a severely disturbed manner when awakened. Researchers have discovered that, while some sleepwalkers may become violent, most of the time they are just lost, confused, scared, or embarrassed. To prevent such reactions, you should wake a sleepwalker as gently as you can.
Since it is challenging to wake someone who is sleepwalking, many sleep specialists advise gently guiding them back to bed instead. Sleepwalkers are likely to forget the incident the next day. Sleepwalkers frequently engage in activities that should require full attention and are therefore dangerous to perform while partially asleep, making it crucial to get them to go back to sleep in their own bed. These actions include getting out of bed and going downstairs, eating, drinking, cooking, and even operating a vehicle. It is therefore best to guide the sleepwalker back to bed and, if necessary, wake him.
Final Words
Any health issues are unrelated to sleepwalking itself. Leaving the house, jumping out of the window, using lighters and kitchen knives, running into sharp objects, etc., can indirectly cause issues, mostly due to safety concerns.
Do you finally understand why you are unable to awaken a sleepwalker? I really appreciate your reading. Have a great day, and thanks for reading!