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The treatment of sleepwalking depends upon the age of the patient and its cause. Many children outgrow sleepwalking by the time they reach adolescence. In many cases, reassurance and support is the only treatment necessary for both children and adults. In some cases, measures to prevent injury may be taken, such as:

• Locking windows and doors prior to bedtime.
  
  
• Removing objects that may cause trips, such as furniture or electrical cords.
  
  
• Placing gates on stairways to prevent falls.
  
  
• Making sure the sleepwalking patient sleeps in a ground floor bedroom.
  
  
• Placing an alarm or bell on the bedroom door.
  
  
• Covering windows with heavy drapes.

Underlying medical or psychiatric conditions may be treated if they are determined to be the cause of sleepwalking. Some patients who experience sleepwalking are treated with medications, including:

• Benzodiazepines. Medications that slow down the central nervous system. They are used to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms and prevent seizures. Extended use of benzodiazepines can result in physical and psychological dependence.
  
  
• Antidepressants. Medications primarily used to treat depression, anxiety and problems with obsession. Patients should be aware that a physician may need to adjust the dosage or change medications to achieve the best results with minimal side effects. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all people being treated with them – especially children - should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.
  
  Other techniques used to treat sleepwalking include:

• Relaxation therapy. Techniques such as listening to music or breathing exercises that help patients relax. This should be performed with the assistance of a behavioral therapist or hypnotist.
  
  
• Mental imagery. Uses mental images as a way to impact attitudes and emotions. This should also be performed with the assistance of a behavioral therapist or hypnotist.
  
  
• Anticipatory awakenings. The patient is awoken 15 to 20 minutes before an anticipated sleepwalking episode and kept awake for the time during which episodes occurred in the past.

Some techniques for improving sleep and possibly avoiding a sleepwalking episode include:

• Avoiding or minimizing stress, anxiety and conflict.
  
  
• Avoiding alcohol or the use of medications that suppress the central nervous system, such as sedatives.
  
  
• Avoiding sleep deprivation, fatigue or insomnia.