Q. I would like to know if sleepwalking is related to BPD.
A. I’ve seen a few patients who did this when dysphoric and nighttime tegretol often stops it. Since REM sleep is markedly impaired in borderlines, I assume this is the link.
Q. I know someone with the disorder who sleepwalks on a regular basis. She has walked into her son’s room screaming and terrorized him. She is currently on 20 milligrams of Prozac a day, but mixes alcohol with it. Would that have anything to do with the sleepwalking?
A. Alcohol neutralizes the Prozac while they’re drinking – the moodiness, chronic anger, emptiness, boredom and emotional pain recur while drinking. The withdrawal phase can trigger dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair). This could be a link.