When does sleep walking and insomnia require help?

This question was asked in Los Angeles, California on 07/09/2012.
I have been sleep walking and experiencing insomnia for 4 months straight. The insonmia occurs 1-3x a week and the sleepwalking occurs each night(the 'sleepwalking' I aware that it is occurring, but I can't help but follow through on the action). I have exhausted all other types of over the counter, excerises, teas, meditation, etc. At this point I feel I need a doctor to review and see what might be causing this. Is there anyone that can help with a diagnosis?

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Doctors Answers (3)

J. Douglas Hudson, MD, DABSM
Answered on: 7/11/2012

Sleep walking and insomnia are generally not related sleep disorders but, in your case, are obviously related. Over the counter medications are not a good choice for treatment of your problem. Most of them have an adverse effect on sleep stages which often aggravate the condition. You definitely need to see a board certified sleep specialist, preferably a neurologist who is also board certified in sleep medicine.

Syed Nabi, M.D.
Answered on: 7/10/2012

It sounds complicated. You should definitely see a sleep physician. Both insomnia and sleep walking are symptoms that could be present in a wide variety of disorders. Sometimes there is more to the story that surfaces and a sleep physician can help you determine the cause. If not, he/she maybe able to refer you to a physician who can help you figure out what is going on and help with symptoms.

Richard J. Schumann Jr., MD
Answered on: 7/10/2012

If you are still continueing to experiencing the phenomena this is disrupting your sleep and you should engage a sleep specialist for treatment. Just treating one entity like insomnia can work to improve the sleep walking as well. It may also be helpful to keep a sleep log of when you go to bed and when during the night you experience the insomnia and sleep walking to help the sleep specialist better treat your problem.