It may be necessary to take precautions to protect the sleepwalker or others from injury locking doors and windows and locking away any sharp objects like tools. People with night terrors on their own often settle down to sleep again without fully waking. Most of us have had frightening dreams or nightmares. They take place usually during the later part of the night when we have our most vivid and memorable dreams. They do not normally cause problems unless they occur regularly, which usually reflects emotional difficulties.
Nightmares often follow a traumatic event such as bereavement, a disaster or a violent attack.
Some people move around a lot while they sleep and may jerk their legs to such an extent that they stop their partner from sleeping. The simplest solution is to put two single beds together instead of using a double. There are a number of Sleep Disorder Clinics, but referral to these clinics should be made through your family doctor. Patients cannot be self-referred. The Royal College of Psychiatrists.