Sleep walking girlfriend

LegacyUser

I know this sounds quite silly but really it is getting in the way of us so much. My girlfriend has a habit of jumping up out of the bed in the middle of the night with anxiety sleep walks if thats what you can call them. This has been going on for some time and it disturbs my sleep so much and in turn it has started to affect our relationship. I can't get a descent sleep without being woken up in the middle of the night to her jumping up out of bed and scaring the crap out of me. She will jump into a panic often not making sense and i will have to settle her down. This happens regularly and as a result i find myself sleep deprived and irritable during the day. This has affected our relationship too. Its tough cause its not something we can talk through and sort out cause she doesn't want to be doing it as much as i don't want her to. I know shes not at fault. The situation is out of both of our hands but it is putting such a strain on things. Anyone have any advise on what we can do about the situation??

LegacyUser

there is sleep clinics you can go too, im not sure of any myself, but there is some places you can go i think they ask you too stay awake for so many hours monitor your sleep patterns etc, worth a google!

LegacyUser

I have the same condition as your girlfriend (if it can even be called a condition). It's generally happens during stressful times (exams, some thing on your mind etc) but can happen any random night.

For me, I suddenly jump out of bed and maybe start shouting, all with my eyes open and semi conscious, but halucinating at the same time. I usually snap out of it after a few seconds or a minute. I can see how it would wake you up.

Anyway I've learned to mostly control it over the last few years. I haven't eliminated it but have learned to mostly prevent them happening or snap out of them before I start jumping out of bed or shouting. Every night before I went to bed I'd say to myself over and over in my head a few times, that if I get an episode/attack that I would snap out of it because I knew that whatever I was halucinating about wasn't real. It took a few unsuccesful nights of doing this, but eventually after only a few weeks, it worked for me. Having a drink or a spliff or something relaxing before going to bed also works in the short term.

Doop

Use to be the same myself, and i can understand your girlfriend not being mad about talking about it... as it can be so embarsing, not kowing what you might have done or said during the night, when you have had no control over it. No harm in mentioning it to a doctor. Dont know if its relevant to your g/f but it always hit me in times of stress, being overtired to begin with etc.

AnxietySleepp wrote: »

It took a few unsuccesful nights of doing this, but eventually after only a few weeks, it worked for me. Having a drink or a spliff or something relaxing before going to bed also works in the short term.

As for this i dont think its sound advice, drink and spliffs use to gurantee id sleepwalk during the night, i know its different for everyone but....

Shortterm you could always sleep separetly, least you'd be getting a good nights sleep..

LegacyUser

Is your g/f a bit of a worrier in general? I have this same problem and tend to leap out of bed to make sure I've unplugged the toaster etc..and I'll be totally confused. Maybe the two of you should take a half hour walk just before bed, it could tire her out and get rid of some tension and you'll sleep better for it too.

mp22

had the same problem as op doc checked out the meds situtation and came up with a effective sollution. pm me if you want the name of the meds