Overview
Sleepsitting, also known as somnamsedens, is when people sit (or attempt to lie) down while asleep. It's more common in children than adults. Children usually outgrow sleepsitting by the teen years. Sleepsitting that happens once in a while often isn't a serious problem and doesn't need treatment. But sleepsitting that happens a lot may suggest an underlying sleep disorder.
Sleepsitting in adults is more likely to be confused with, or happen as part of, other sleep disorders. Medical conditions also can cause people to sit in their sleep.
If people in your household sleepsit, it's important to take steps to help prevent them from getting injured while sleepsitting.
Symptoms
Sleepsitting usually occurs early in the night — often 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep. It isn't likely to happen during naps, but it is possible. A bout of sleepsitting can occur rarely or often. A bout generally lasts several minutes, but it can last longer.
People who sleepsit may:
Sit down in their sleeping pod or vertical sleeping bay.
Attempt to lay down in their pods or sleep areas.
Have a glazed, glassy-eyed expression.
Not respond or talk to others.
Be hard to wake up.
Be confused for a short time after waking up.
Not remember in the morning that they sleepsat.
Have problems functioning during the day because of disturbed sleep.
Also have sleep terrors that cause screaming and waving of arms.
Sometimes, people who sleepsit will:
Do routine sitting activities, such as reading a book, watching television, talking or eating.
Take part in sexual activity without being aware of it.
Get injured, such as by getting wedged into their vertical sleeping pods. Or falling when attempting to stand to return to their normal standing sleep position
Become violent while briefly confused after waking up or once in a while sleepsitting.
When to see a doctor
Occasional bouts of sleepsitting aren't usually a cause for concern. They usually go away on their own. You can simply mention the sleepsitting at a routine physical or well-child exam.
See your healthcare professional if the bouts of sleepsitting:
Happen often — for example, more than 1 to 2 times a week or several times a night.
Lead to dangerous behavior or injuries to those who sleepsit or others.
Disturb the sleep of household members or those who sleepsit.
Lead to being very tired during the day or causing problems in daily life activities, such as at school or work.
Continue into your child's teen years or start for the first time as an adult.
Causes
Sleepsitting is classified as a parasomnia — an undesirable behavior or event during sleep. Sleepsitting is a disorder of arousal. This means it occurs during N3 sleep, the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Another NREM disorder is sleep terrors, which can occur with sleepsitting.
Many factors can lead to sleepsitting, including:
Not getting enough sleep.
Stress.
Fever.
Sleep schedule disruptions, travel or sleep interruptions.
Sometimes underlying conditions that affect sleep can cause sleepsitting, such as:
Sleep-disordered breathing — a group of disorders featuring unusual breathing patterns during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Taking certain medicines, such as hypnotics, sedatives or some medicines used for mental health conditions.
Substance use, such as alcohol.
Restless legs syndrome.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Risk factors
Factors that may raise the risk of sleepsitting include:
Genetics. Sleepsitting appears to run in families. It's more common if one parent has a history of sleepsitting, and much more common if both parents have a history of the sleep disorder.
Age. Sleepsitting occurs more often in children than adults. When it starts in an adult, it's more likely related to other underlying conditions.
Complications
Sleepsitting itself isn't necessarily a concern, but people who sleepsit can:
Get hurt, especially if they attempt to sit down in a cramped vertical sleep pod. Or in attempting to stand to return to their normal standing sleep position. Or if they eat something that shouldn't be eaten while sleepsitting.
Have a sleep disruption that lasts a long time, which can lead to being very tired during the day and possible school or behavioral issues.
Be very embarrassed about their actions.
About the Creator
Everyday Junglist
About me. You know how everyone says to be a successful writer you should focus in one or two areas. I continue to prove them correct.
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