Somnabulism found in the elderly is usually a sign of delirium or possibly the effect of a medication. Sleepwalking episodes in the presence of a fever are differentiated from delirium by their short duration, their continuance after the fever has broken, and their appearance early in the night. Somnabulism is rarely caused by seizures. Seizures, unlike somnabulism, last for a long time and can occur at anytime during the day or night. Treatment for most cases of somnabulism is unnecessary.
Most children eventually outgrow sleepwalking.
Regular sleep schedules and sufficient amounts of sleep can reduce the amount of episodes a child will undergo. For adults, treatment is different. Chronic episodes of sleepwalking may require psychiatric evaluation. Medications such as benzodiazepines, clonazepan or the tricyclic antidepressant impiramine may be prescribed to treat episodes of somnabulism. Adults sleepwalkers with the presence of psychopathology may need psychotherapeutic therapy.