Medical Director of Sleep Health Institute Responds to New Jersey Sleepwalking Tragedy
(Pompton Plains, NJ) – When a 55-year-old woman from New Jersey sleepwalked into a lake on December 17, 2011, news of her tragic death spread globally via the Internet.
However, cases such as this are not new according to John Penek, MD, FCCP - a noted Sleep Specialist with more than 30 years in the field of sleep and pulmonary medicine.
“There are more than 80 distinct sleep disorders occurring in children and adults in all age groups,” said Dr. Penek. “Somnabulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, is a certain type of sleep disorder, called a ‘parasomnia.’ This involves abnormal and unnatural movements and behaviors and can cause harm to the individual as well as others.”
According to Dr. Penek, sleepwalking is one of many parasomnias that can cause tragedy when left untreated. “Sexsomnia, or abnormal sexual behavior during sleep, has resulted in charges of rape and child molestation,” he explained. “Other disorders such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia may result in sleep at inappropriate times, which may cause accidents and even death.”
Development of knowledge in the area of parasomnias has increased so rapidly in the last decade that there is now a growing field called Forensic Sleep Medicine. “Many parasomnias are associated with injury of bed partners or others and are perceived as potentially criminal behavior,” he said. “It is not uncommon for patients suffering with these disorders to be charged civilly and/or criminally. Because of the frequent striking nature of these behaviors, the sleep specialist physician is frequently needed to provide testimony for both plaintiff and defense attorneys in these cases.”
Although parasomnias can be fatal, they are treatable. The disorder is diagnosed with an overnight sleep study.