Hey MonyGirl, I done been there. I call these night terrors. I started having them while still in a crib. I would be "climbing out" completely unconscious but physically active. As years went by, they'd pull me down off windowsills........ out of closets, etc. I would remember nothing.

When I got my first apartment in NYC, there were 3 of us on mattresses on the floor in a tiny bedroom. I made sure I was furthest from the window and just prayed they'd catch me before I got out....

I was in my early 20's when I first woke up during one. Prior to this particular night, I relyed on reports from others to even know this was happening. Well, there I was, standing on the window sill, trying to get out!!! Sweating a cold sweat, breathing like I had run the mile in 4, shaking like a leaf, and scared out of my mind. "Hmmmmmmmmm!", I said to myself, "This is what they were talking about!" Sheeesh.

Since that first awakening during, I awoke sooner and sooner and sooner, until now, I wake up just as I fall into the panic, so I don't get further than sitting up before I wake up.

I have no idea what triggers the shift toward waking up other than time away from "the trauma", and a good therapist. . .
I have only this year learned how to sleep refreshingly. . . I only get jolted as I'm falling alseep maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

I wish you well. I never knew how important sleep was til I started doing it.