Staying Healthy

Sleepwalking and sleep terrors

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What are sleepwalking and sleep terrors?

A person who is sleepwalking walks or makes other movements that seem purposeful. This occurs while in a state of partial wakefulness from deep sleep. Contrary to popular belief, sleepwalkers don't act out their dreams. Sleepwalking doesn't take place during the dreaming stage of sleep.

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About the Reviewer

photo of Sogol Javaheri, MD, MPH

Sogol Javaheri, MD, MPH, Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Sogol Javaheri is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a physician in the division of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. She graduated from Case Western Reserve … See Full Bio
View all posts by Sogol Javaheri, MD, MPH
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