Zombie | Teen Ink

Zombie MAG

March 25, 2009
By Christian DiMare BRONZE, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Christian DiMare BRONZE, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

I’ll never forget those glassy mahogany eyes. How could I ­forget the hollow glare they pitched my way and the sight of their owner arising from a deathly slumber?

“Mom?” my sister called, breaking the stillness of the house. “Mom?” And my mom came running.

“What is it, Adrianna?” My sister didn’t respond. “Are you awake?” Mom asked. At the time I thought it was a dumb question.

“I don’t know,” Adrianna answered. Mom instinctively knew the right questions to ask. My sister was sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking is fairly common in children; however, it also ­occurs in adults. But if sleepwalking is so common, why does the average person know so little about it?

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, causes people to get up, walk, run, and even talk in the third and fourth stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. In NREM sleep, a person usually is not dreaming and has slow breathing and heart rate. People who sleepwalk are not aware of what is going on. They are not conscious and won’t remember what they did while sleepwalking.

How can you tell if someone is sleepwalking? People are different, and so are sleepwalkers. Some quietly amble about, while ­others run in an attempt to “escape.” Sleepwalkers are often slow to answer or don’t respond at all.

Sleepwalking has many causes, ranging from genetics to environmental factors. If someone in your family sleepwalks, it’s more likely that you will too. Stress, alcohol, and drugs are factors, along with a lack of sleep. Some psychiatric conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple personality disorder, cause sleepwalking too.

It is a little unnerving knowing that my sister wanders the house in a subconscious state. Even though I’ve only witnessed it once, that image remains etched in my mind. I’ll never forget her glassy mahogany eyes.



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This article has 5 comments.


on Jun. 25 2009 at 4:18 am
GreenDayFan SILVER, Phoenix, Arizona
7 articles 3 photos 134 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Every story has an end, but in life, every ending is just a new beginning.&quot; <br /> -Uptown Girls

i agree with Theresa it was interesting from the minute i started to read it, Great job!!!

on Jun. 2 2009 at 3:25 pm
VandaNoon PLATINUM, West Pittston, Pennsylvania
42 articles 0 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
what i can remember<br /> is a lot like water<br /> trickling down a page<br /> of the most beautiful colors<br /> -Marie Digby &#039;Unfold&#039;

You really caught my attention fast. Great job.

on May. 2 2009 at 9:08 pm
Christian,

You caught my attention with your introduction of the mahogany eyes. I'll be looking for them on Monday. You also taught me a lot about sleeepwalking . Your writing always surprises and impresses me.



All my best,

S.Travers

on Apr. 19 2009 at 5:35 pm
adriannalovesanime GOLD, Reidsville, North Carolina
17 articles 5 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
It&#039;s better to be hurt by the truth than to gain satisfaction from the lies.-David Allan

Wow,this was good:)

My name is Adrianna.

>.<

sunnygurl said...
on Apr. 14 2009 at 2:23 am
i sleepwalk all the time! and sleeptalk, and sleeprun...lol. its kinda freaky...:)