Sleep talking

Sleep talking, also known as somniloquy, is a sleep disorder defined as talking during sleep without being aware of it. It can be quite loud, ranging from simple sounds to long speeches, and can occur many times during sleep. Individuals can sleep talk in any stage of sleep.

Causes

The exact cause of sleep talking is unknown, but it seems to run in families and is more common in males and children. It can be triggered by stress, depression, fever, sleep deprivation, alcohol, and drug abuse. Certain medications can also lead to sleep talking.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of sleep talking is audible speech during sleep. The speech can be clear and easy to understand, or it can be mumbled and hard to decipher. The content can be harmless and nonsensical, or it can be graphic, vulgar, or offensive.

Diagnosis

Sleep talking is usually reported by a bed partner or other members of the household. However, the individual who is sleep talking is usually unaware of the behavior. A doctor may make a diagnosis based on the person's history, but to rule out other sleep disorders that could be causing or contributing to the sleep talking, a sleep study may be recommended.

Treatment

In most cases, no treatment is necessary. However, if sleep talking is severe or persists over a long period of time, it may be necessary to consult a healthcare provider. There are no specific treatments for sleep talking, but improving sleep hygiene can help. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed.

See also

• Sleep disorders
• Sleepwalking
• Night terror
• Sleep paralysis