Somniloquy

Somniloquy or sleep-talking is a parasomnia that refers to talking aloud while asleep. It can be quite loud, ranging from simple sounds to long speeches, and can occur many times during sleep. Listeners may or may not be able to understand what the person is saying. As with sleepwalking and night terrors, sleeptalking usually occurs during delta-wave NREM sleep stages or temporary arousals from them.

Furthermore, it can also occur during REM sleep, at which time it represents a motor breakthrough (see sleep paralysis) of dream speech: words spoken in a dream are spoken out loud. Depending on its frequency, this may or may not be considered pathological. All motor functions are typically disabled during REM sleep; thus, motoric i.e. verbal elaboration of dream content could be considered REM behavior disorder (see below).

Sleep-talking can occur by itself or as a feature of another sleep disorder such as:

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) - loud, emotional or profane sleep talking
Sleepwalking
Night terror - intense fear, screaming, shouting
Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED)

Sleep-talking is very common and is reported in 50% of young children, with most of them outgrowing it by puberty, although it may persist into adulthood (about 4% of adults are reported to talk in their sleep). It appears to run in families. Sleep-talking can be associated with a fever.

In 1966, researchers K. Abe and M. Shimakawa worked to find links between heredity and Somniloquy. Their research suggests the following:

Sleep-talking parents are more likely to have children who sleep-talk
Sleep talking can still occur when neither parent has a history of sleep talking, though this is far less common
A large portion of parents begin to sleep-talk later in life without any prior history of sleep-talking during childhood or adolescence

Sleep-talking by itself is harmless; however, it can wake up others and cause them consternation—especially when misinterpreted as conscious speech by an observer. If the sleep-talking is dramatic, emotional, or profane it may be a sign of another sleep disorder (see above). Sleep-talking can be monitored by a partner or by using an audio recording device; devices which remain idle until detecting a sound wave are ideal for this purpose. Polysomnography (sleep recording) shows episodes of sleep talking that can occur in any stage of sleep.

Causes and Triggers[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of sleep-talking is not well understood, but several factors have been associated with its occurrence. These factors include:

Stress
Depression
Sleep deprivation
Alcohol or drug use
Fever
Certain medications

In some cases, sleep-talking may be linked to other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or REM sleep behavior disorder. Identifying and addressing these underlying conditions may help reduce the frequency of sleep-talking episodes.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]

Since sleep-talking is generally not harmful, medical intervention is usually not necessary. However, if it becomes disruptive or is suspected to be a symptom of another sleep disorder, a healthcare professional should be consulted. A sleep specialist may perform a sleep study or recommend other diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the sleep-talking.

Treatment for sleep-talking may include:

Addressing underlying medical conditions or sleep disorders
Practicing good sleep hygiene
Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises
Avoiding alcohol or drug use, particularly before bedtime
Consulting a healthcare professional about adjusting medications, if necessary

Coping with Sleep-Talking[edit | edit source]

For individuals who share a bed or room with someone who sleep-talks, the following strategies may help minimize disruptions:

Using earplugs or white noise machines to drown out the sleep-talking
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule to ensure adequate rest
Encouraging the sleep-talker to practice good sleep hygiene and address any potential triggers
Communicating openly about the impact of sleep-talking on sleep quality and seeking solutions together

In conclusion, sleep-talking is a common phenomenon that can occur in both children and adults. While it is generally harmless and not indicative of serious health concerns, it can sometimes be a symptom of other sleep disorders. Treatment typically involves addressing underlying conditions, practicing good sleep hygiene, and minimizing potential triggers.

External links[edit | edit source]

Somniloquy Resources
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