By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    What Would You Do?
    January 28, 2013
    How Martin Shkreli is driving down drug prices
    May 24, 2017
    Here’s How The Body Deals With Pain – And How You Can Treat Yours
    December 31, 2018
    Latest News
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Sleepwalking is No Laughing Matter
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Sleepwalking is No Laughing Matter
Specialties

Sleepwalking is No Laughing Matter

Laura Bogart
Last updated: September 7, 2012 4:14 pm
Laura Bogart
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Taking a flying leap through a glass window to evade a heat-seeking missile sounds like the province of a secret agent (or the actor portraying him), not a stand-up comedian. Yet that’s exactly what funnyman Mike Birbiglia did while staying at a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla Washington. Birbiglia wasn’t auditioning to replace Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible movies; he was—believe it or not—sleepwalking.

Taking a flying leap through a glass window to evade a heat-seeking missile sounds like the province of a secret agent (or the actor portraying him), not a stand-up comedian. Yet that’s exactly what funnyman Mike Birbiglia did while staying at a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla Washington. Birbiglia wasn’t auditioning to replace Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible movies; he was—believe it or not—sleepwalking.

Birbiglia chronicles this accident in a comic monologue, which was excerpted on “This American Life” and now forms the basis of an autobiographical film called “Sleepwalk With Me.” But there was nothing funny about Birbiglia’s tumble from the second story window or the multiple stitches he received. Sleepwalking (or somnambulism) is defined within the parasomnia categorization of sleep disorders; these disorders are marked by abnormal behaviors, emotions and perceptions (like, say, being hounded by a missile) during sleep.

Steven Schonfeld, M.D.

“Sleepwalking is fairly uncommon,” says Steven Schonfeld, M.D., director of the Sinai Hospital Sleep Center. The disorder only occurs in about 4 or 5 percent of all adults, but when it does occur, it is, Schonfeld says, “a real risk. If someone sleepwalks, they’re putting themselves at risk.” He explains that parasomnias like sleepwalking can be sparked by other medical conditions or by stress. In “Sleepwalk With Me,” Birbiglia’s character, Matt Pandamiglio, suffers through a series of menial jobs while his stand-up career flounders and his long-term relationship falls apart.

More Read

Why Cancer Patients MUST Go the Extra Mile
Laser Eye Surgery Or Implantable Contact Lenses: Which Is Right For You?
Treating Foot Pain without Paying to See Your PCP
All About Genetic Counseling
The Weight Conscious Doctor: Why Sensitivity Matters

Another possible explanation behind Birbiglia’s bizarre behavior (try saying that three times fast!) could be REM Behavior Disorder (RBD). According to the National Sleep Foundation’s website, “people who suffer from REM behavior disorder (RBD) act out their dreams. They physically move limbs or even get up and engage in activities associated with waking. Some talk, shout, scream, hit, punch, or fly out of bed while sleeping!”  However, the disorder commonly strikes people in their 50s (or older).

Schonfeld says that it’s important for anyone who may be exhibiting these unusual behaviors to carefully document what’s happening. “If possible,” he adds, “get a witness, like a partner or spouse.” He also advocates that they seek a sleep specialist, since sleep specialists can test for specific things. This kind of condition can be especially tricky to treat because sleepwalking isn’t always a consistent behavior. Care providers might be leery of using powerful medication to treat an occurrence that may happen once every month (or even every other month). “It’s not something you can predict,” Schonfeld explains. He’s quick to add that the patient’s safety is always of the utmost concern.

Even in less extreme cases, sleep studies can yield valuable information about the state of our health. “We encourage doctors to consider a patient’s sleep history as a part of their basic history,” Schonfeld says. Patients with cardiac or neurological issues are particularly vulnerable to sleep disturbances. Sleep apnea—which can be linked to cardiovascular woes like high blood pressure—is one of the most common conditions the Sleep Center treats.

Even if we’re not contending with a health issue like sleep apnea (and our dreams couldn’t pass for the first five minutes of a James Bond movie), there are still things we can do to ensure easier (and more effective) sleep. Schonfeld recommends that we establish a set bedtime and try to stick with it every day; he also counsels against eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol close to bedtime. Despite the conventional wisdom that “eight is great” when it comes to hours of sleep, Schonfeld says that everyone is different in terms of how many Z’s we need to face the day. “If you’re functional during the day, you’re doing okay.”

For more information about the Sinai Hospital Sleep Center, call 410-601-9523. To contact the Northwest Hospital Sleep Center, call 410-701-4559.


 

TAGGED:sleepwalking
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025
Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
June 11, 2025
magnesium supplements
The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
Health
June 11, 2025
preparing for next pendamic
Preparing for the Next Pandemic: How Technology is Changing the Game
Technology
June 6, 2025

You Might also Like

Could a 50 Year Old Sample of Cat Brain Tissue Challenge Current Methylmercury Wisdom?

June 30, 2020
finding the right tmj specialist is very important
Specialties

Choosing the Right TMJ Specialist for You

December 2, 2020
Health careObesity

How Can Parents Prevent Obesity In Children

October 4, 2019
Specialties

Health Considerations When Filling Glass Vape Cartridges

January 22, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?