Did you know? Someone can sit up, walk around the room or even speak while still being asleep. Their eyes may be open, yet they may not recognise you properly or remember the episode the next morning. This can be startling for a parent or partner, but it does not mean the person is pretending to be awake.
Sleepwalking and night terrors are examples of unusual behaviours arising during sleep. They are often discussed together because both can involve partial arousal from non-REM sleep, especially in children. But they do not look exactly the same, and they are not the same thing as an ordinary bad dream.
Here is a clear guide to how sleepwalking works, why night terrors happen, what adults can do to keep someone safe, and when a healthcare professional should assess a recurring problem.
Sleep is not simply on or off
Think of waking as a change in several brain and body systems, not one light switch. During sleep, the brain moves through different patterns of activity. On some occasions, parts of the systems involved in movement and behaviour may become active before the person is fully awake and aware.
Sleepwalking is associated with such incomplete arousal, often from deep non-REM sleep. A person may get out of bed and perform apparently purposeful movements while showing little normal awareness of the surroundings.
The UK National Health Service describes sleepwalking as getting up and moving around while asleep, usually during the first part of the night. This is one reason the experience can differ from a vivid dream remembered on waking.
What sleepwalking can look like
A sleepwalking person may sit upright, walk into another room or carry out a familiar action. Their eyes can be open and their face may look blank. They may give limited or unusual responses when someone speaks to them.
Some episodes are brief and end when the person returns to bed. Others can involve more complicated behaviour or a risk of injury. The appearance of purposeful action does not prove that the person is fully awake, conscious of the situation or making a deliberate choice.
The main safety concern is the environment. Stairs, windows, sharp objects and doors leading outside can create risks when someone moves without normal awareness.
Does a sleepwalker remember the episode?
Often there is little or no memory of the event. Someone may wake in the morning and be genuinely surprised to hear that they walked around the house during the night.
That does not mean every case looks identical. Memory and awareness can vary, and an observer’s description is not enough to make a formal diagnosis of every unusual nighttime behaviour.
A useful family response is to record what was actually seen, approximately when it occurred and whether the person appeared confused. That information is more useful to a healthcare professional than an assumption that the person was “acting strangely on purpose.”
Worked example: the child who appears awake
Imagine an eight-year-old who gets out of bed an hour or two after falling asleep, walks towards the hallway and does not respond normally when a parent speaks. The child looks awake because their eyes are open, but seems confused and later has no memory of leaving bed.
That pattern can be consistent with sleepwalking. It would be unsafe to assume the child is making a conscious decision to wander, or that a stern lecture the next morning would prevent an involuntary episode.
The immediate priority is preventing injury and gently helping the child return to a safe sleeping place when possible. Repeated or risky episodes deserve discussion with a healthcare professional.
What is a night terror?
A night terror, also called a sleep terror, is a different type of partial-arousal event. A person may suddenly cry out, scream, thrash, appear frightened or show signs of strong bodily arousal while still asleep.
From the outside, it may look as though they have had a terrible dream. But they may not be fully awake and can be difficult to reassure or communicate with during the event. They often have little memory of the episode afterwards.
The NHS guide to night terrors and nightmares explains that sleep terrors often occur in the earlier part of the night, while ordinary remembered nightmares are more commonly associated with later sleep.
Why night terrors can frighten parents more than children
A child may scream and look terrified while not being consciously aware of the scene in the ordinary waking sense. A parent sees genuine-looking fear and naturally wants to intervene immediately.
But forcefully trying to wake or restrain a child during a night terror can increase confusion or distress. The NHS recommends remaining calm, monitoring safety and not trying to force the child awake unless there is a risk of injury.
After the episode, the child may settle and have little or no memory of what occurred. That difference between the parent’s frightening observation and the child’s later memory is one reason night terrors can be so confusing.
Nightmares are different
A nightmare is a distressing dream from which someone wakes and may remember the story, images or fear. Night terrors typically involve partial arousal with little later recall. The familiar textbook distinction is that nightmares are commonly linked to REM sleep, while sleep terrors arise from non-REM sleep.
Real sleep is complicated, and unusual events can sometimes require professional assessment to distinguish. Still, the contrast helps families understand why comforting a child after a nightmare can feel different from trying to communicate during a sleep terror.
For more about dream experiences and remembered fear, see Dreams, Nightmares and Sleep Paralysis Explained. The current guide focuses on movements and partial arousal during sleep.
Sleepwalking is not the same as acting out a dream
Because sleepwalkers can move around, people sometimes assume they must be acting out a detailed dream. But sleepwalking is commonly associated with non-REM arousal, not the typical pattern of REM dreaming.
Other conditions can involve unusual movement during sleep, including specific REM-related behaviour disorders, seizures or effects of substances and medicines. A casual observer should not diagnose all nocturnal movement as sleepwalking.
This is particularly important if a new pattern begins in adulthood, involves injury or includes symptoms that do not resemble the person’s usual episodes. Professional evaluation can help determine what is actually happening.
Who experiences sleepwalking?
Sleepwalking is more common in childhood and may run in families. Many children who sleepwalk eventually stop doing so as they grow older. Adults can also sleepwalk, so it is not exclusively a childhood event.
The NHS notes that insufficient sleep, fever or illness, stress, some medicines and other sleep problems can be associated with episodes. These are possible contributors, not a guaranteed explanation for every case.
A useful approach is to notice recurring patterns rather than blame one recent event. An episode after a school camp does not prove that the camp caused a sleep disorder; many factors may have changed at the same time.
Who experiences night terrors?
The NHS describes night terrors as most common in children aged roughly three to eight, although other ages can be affected. They may be more likely to occur in people with a family history of related sleep events.
A parent whose child has an occasional sleep terror should not jump immediately to a frightening conclusion about mental health or brain damage. At the same time, frequent episodes, distress, injury risks or unusual accompanying symptoms deserve appropriate attention.
The sensible balance is to remain calm, make the sleeping environment safer and seek guidance if the pattern is persistent or concerning.
Why too little sleep can be part of the picture
Insufficient sleep is one factor associated with sleepwalking and night terrors. Sleep deprivation can alter sleep pressure and the way the brain transitions between sleep states, although the precise reasons for a particular episode are not always known.
A student who stays up until midnight to finish homework and wakes at six may have a disrupted sleep pattern. That does not guarantee sleepwalking, but protecting more consistent sleep can be a reasonable general health measure.
The family’s goal should be a realistic schedule with adequate sleep opportunity, not an anxious attempt to control every minute of a child’s sleep.
A simple sleep diary can reveal patterns
If an episode occurs repeatedly, record the bedtime, approximate event time, general duration, relevant illness or stress, and any obvious environmental factors. Note whether the person had sufficient sleep opportunity and whether the event caused a safety risk.
The purpose is not to diagnose the condition at home. It is to give a clinician clearer information if assessment becomes necessary.
Do not leave a child under constant video surveillance out of panic or assume a wearable stage estimate proves the event occurred during one exact stage. A straightforward observation record is often a more sensible starting point.
What should you do during a sleepwalking episode?
Focus on safety. Keep calm, clear obvious hazards and, where possible, gently guide the person back towards bed without startling them. The NHS advises that if waking becomes necessary, it should be done gently because sudden awakening may cause confusion or fear.
The popular claim that you must never wake a sleepwalker is too absolute. The concern is usually abrupt or disorienting awakening, not that waking someone is inherently dangerous. If a child is approaching stairs or an open exit, preventing injury takes priority.
Do not shake, shout at or punish someone for sleepwalking. They may not be able to respond appropriately during the episode.
What should you do during a night terror?
A night terror often looks dramatic, but the person may not be fully awake. The NHS advises staying calm and avoiding attempts to forcibly wake or stop the person unless there is a risk of harm.
Make the surroundings safe, observe whether the episode settles and keep other family members from escalating the situation. A child may return to sleep after the event without a remembered nightmare to discuss.
If episodes are frequent, prolonged, dangerous or accompanied by other symptoms, ask a healthcare professional for guidance. This is more appropriate than experimenting with medications or elaborate nighttime interventions independently.
Why household safety matters
For a known sleepwalker, practical precautions may include keeping floors free of trip hazards, securing accessible windows and doors, and placing sharp objects where they cannot easily be reached during an episode. The exact arrangement depends on age, mobility and the layout of the home.
Families in Singapore may need to consider corridor doors, balconies, staircases, bunk beds and other features specific to the dwelling. A child who sleepwalks should not be placed where a nocturnal fall becomes more likely.
These are ordinary injury-prevention decisions. They do not imply that every sleepwalking child is in grave danger, only that movement without full awareness deserves thoughtful environmental protection.
Can stress or examination pressure play a role?
Stress can affect sleep quality and timing, and it is among the factors associated with some parasomnias. A demanding examination week may combine late study, anxiety and shorter sleep, making it difficult to separate individual influences.
This should not be turned into a claim that night terrors prove a child is emotionally unwell. A nighttime event is not enough to diagnose anxiety, trauma or any other condition.
Ask how the child is coping during the day and whether the timetable leaves room for regular sleep. Supportive conversation and appropriate professional assessment are more useful than making a diagnosis from one night.
Fever and illness can also change sleep
When a child is unwell, sleep may be interrupted or different from usual. Fever, discomfort and changes in the sleep–wake pattern can be associated with unusual nighttime behaviour for some individuals.
A parent’s task is to attend to the illness and the child’s safety, not assume that every nighttime event comes from a parasomnia. If symptoms include unusual unresponsiveness, breathing difficulty, serious injury or other urgent concerns, seek prompt medical care.
Ordinary articles about sleep are not substitutes for assessing a sick child. The wider health picture always matters.
When to seek professional advice
Talk with a healthcare professional if sleepwalking is recurrent and disruptive, creates injury risks, begins unusually or appears with marked daytime sleepiness or suspected breathing pauses. Night terrors that continue, worsen, involve repeated distress or interfere with family functioning may also merit evaluation.
A clinician may ask about sleep schedules, medications, illnesses, family history and the observed episodes. In some cases, assessment for another sleep condition may be considered.
Avoid self-prescribing sedating medicines or stopping prescribed treatment because of something read online. Any medication changes or specialist interventions should be handled with the appropriate professional.
The difference between bedtime resistance and partial arousal
A child who is fully awake and arguing about bedtime is in a different situation from a child walking around during deep sleep with little awareness. Responses that are appropriate for routine-setting are not necessarily appropriate during an involuntary sleep event.
A family should avoid attributing sleepwalking to misbehaviour or using punishment to prevent it. Likewise, a child who recalls a nightmare and needs reassurance should not be treated as though they are having a non-REM night terror.
Identifying the type of event helps adults respond with more patience and less confusion.
A classroom-style comparison
Consider three examples. Child A wakes after a scary dream and describes a monster. Child B sits up early in the night, screams, seems unaware of the parent and remembers nothing in the morning. Child C walks into the hallway with open eyes but little normal response.
A is consistent with a remembered nightmare. B could fit a night-terror pattern. C could fit sleepwalking. But these are simplified learning cases; real events can overlap or have other causes.
The correct skill is recognising the distinguishing observations while retaining enough caution to seek expert help for unusual or risky situations.
Can a person have both sleepwalking and night terrors?
Yes, they can be related phenomena involving incomplete arousal from non-REM sleep and may occur in the same individual at different times. Their appearances differ, but both involve unusual behaviour when someone is not fully awake.
That does not mean the two events must occur together or that one necessarily develops into the other. Many children experience only one type or no parasomnia at all.
Avoid ranking the events as a measure of brain health. The practical concerns are frequency, safety, sleep quality and any associated symptoms.
A myth: sleepwalkers are always acting out secret wishes
Television and film often use sleepwalking for mysterious speech, hidden truths or comic adventures. In reality, behaviour during a partial-arousal event is not a reliable way to discover someone’s intentions, beliefs or memories.
Someone who says an unusual sentence while sleepwalking should not be interrogated as though they were giving a fully conscious statement. Sleep-stage transitions and partial awareness make that assumption unsound.
The most useful response is safety and observation, not decoding supposedly secret messages.
A myth: an open eye means someone is awake
Open eyes are not sufficient evidence of full wakefulness. Sleepwalking and night terrors can include open eyes alongside poor responsiveness or confusion.
At the same time, not every person with unusual facial expressions or nighttime movement is sleepwalking. The overall pattern and clinical context matter.
A parent or partner should pay attention to safe behaviour, not rely on one sign to classify everything immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What is sleepwalking?
It is a behaviour in which someone gets up or moves around while still asleep, often during incomplete arousal from deep non-REM sleep.
Can someone sleepwalk with their eyes open?
Yes. Eyes may be open even though normal awareness and responsiveness are reduced.
Is it dangerous to wake a sleepwalker?
The blanket claim is misleading. Sudden awakening can cause confusion, so gentle guidance is preferable where safe; if waking is necessary for safety, do so gently.
Are night terrors the same as nightmares?
No. Night terrors commonly involve partial arousal, visible distress and little later recall, while nightmares are disturbing dreams often remembered after waking.
Why does my child not remember a night terror?
The child may not have been fully awake during the event. Limited later memory is characteristic of many sleep-terror episodes.
Will a child grow out of sleepwalking?
Many children do, but persistent or risky episodes should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Can lack of sleep trigger episodes?
Insufficient sleep is among the factors associated with sleepwalking and night terrors, though it does not explain every case.
When should a parent see a doctor?
Seek guidance when episodes are frequent, dangerous, substantially disruptive or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, especially breathing disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness.
Understanding makes the nighttime less mysterious
Did you know a person can move, speak and even look frightened without being fully awake? Once you understand partial arousal, sleepwalking and night terrors become easier to distinguish from ordinary nightmares or conscious bedtime behaviour.
The aim is not to label every unusual night. It is to respond calmly, keep the environment safe, record meaningful patterns and ask for professional help when the situation warrants it.
Explore the series: REM, Deep Sleep and Nightly Cycles, Dreams, Nightmares and Sleep Paralysis, Why Dreams Feel Real, Sleep Needs by Age and Snoring and Sleep Apnoea.
Trusted references: NHS: Sleepwalking; NHS: Night Terrors and Nightmares.