Have you been told that you whisper sweet nothings in your sleep — with no memory of it? Or maybe your child babbles late at night — only to fall right back to sleep. Have you been hoping your sleep-talking spouse will spill a long-time secret? Go ahead. Try asking a question while they are sleeping, and don't be surprised if you get a single-syllable answer! Keep in mind that a sleep talker usually doesn't remember anything that's said during sleep.
Talking in your sleep can be a funny thing. Perhaps you chitchat unconsciously with unseen associates at the midnight hour. Or maybe a family member carries on nightly conversations. Here are answers to your questions about talking in your sleep — what you need to know about sleep talking, from causes to treatments.
What Is Sleep Talking?
Sleep talking, or somniloquy, is the act of speaking during sleep. It's a type of parasomnia — an abnormal behavior that happens during sleep. It's very common and usually not a medical problem.
The nighttime chatter may be harmless, graphic, or even R-rated. Sometimes, listeners find the content offensive or vulgar.
Sleep talkers normally speak for no more than 30 seconds per episode, but some people sleep talk many times during a night. The words can be smooth and clear or may be mumbled and hard to understand. Sleep talking may involve simple sounds or long, involved speeches. Sleep talkers usually seem to be talking to themselves. But sometimes, they appear to carry on conversations with others. They may whisper or shout. If you share a bedroom with someone who talks in their sleep, you might not be getting enough sleep.
Who Talks in Their Sleep?
Many people talk in their sleep. About 2 out of 3 people have experienced sleep talking in their lives. Half of all kids between the ages of 3 and 10 years talk during sleep, and a small number of adults (about 5%) keep chitchatting while asleep. The utterances can take place occasionally or every night.
Sleep talking occurs in men and women equally. And experts think that sleep talking may run in families.
What Are the Symptoms of Talking in Your Sleep?
It's hard to tell if you've been talking in your own sleep. Usually, people will tell you they've heard you shout out during the night or while you were napping. Or maybe someone might complain that your sleep talking is keeping them up all night.
Why Do People Talk in Their Sleep?
You might think that sleep talking occurs during dreaming. But scientists still are not sure if such chatter is linked to dreams. The talking can occur in any stage of sleep.
Sleep talking usually occurs by itself and is most often harmless. But in some cases, it might be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or health condition.
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and sleep terrors are two types of sleep disorders that cause some people to shout during sleep. Sleep terrors, also called night terrors, usually involve frightening screams, thrashing, and kicking. It's hard to wake someone having a sleep terror. Children with sleep terrors usually sleep talk and sleepwalk.
People with RBD yell, shout, grunt, and act out their dreams, often violently.
Sleep talking can also occur with sleepwalking and nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder (NS-RED), a condition in which a person eats while asleep.
Other things that can cause sleep talking include:
- Certain medications
- Emotional stress
- Fever
- Mental health disorder
- Substance abuse
How Is Sleep Talking Treated?
It is a good idea to see a sleep specialist if your sleep talking occurs suddenly as an adult or if it involves intense fear, screaming, or violent actions. You might also consider seeing a doctor if unconscious chatter is interfering with your or your roommates' sleep.
If you think your child has sleep problems, consult your pediatrician.
A sleep specialist will ask you how long you've been talking in your sleep. You'll have to ask this question to your bed partner, roommate, or even your parents. Keep in mind, you may have started sleep talking in childhood.
There are no tests needed to diagnose sleep talking. However, your doctor may order tests, such as a sleep study or sleep recording (polysomnogram), if you have signs of another sleep disorder.
Sleep talking rarely requires treatment. However, severe sleep talking may be the result of another more serious sleep disorder or medical condition, which can be treated. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
How to Stop Sleep Talking
There is no known way to reduce sleep talking. Managing stress and getting plenty of sleep might make you less likely to talk in your sleep.
Keeping a sleep diary can help you identify your sleep patterns. It may also help your doctor find out if an underlying problem is causing your sleep talking. Keep a sleep diary for two weeks. Note the times you go to bed, when you think you fell asleep, and when you woke up. You'll also want to write down the following:
- The medicines you take and the time of day you take them
- What you drink each day and when, especially caffeinated drinks such as cola, tea, and coffee, as well as alcohol
- When you exercise
Takeaways
Sleep talking, or somniloquy, is a common phenomenon where people speak during sleep, often without any memory of it afterward. It typically lasts no longer than 30 seconds at a time. While it affects many children and a smaller number of adults, sleep talking can sometimes be a sign of other sleep disorders or health issues, especially if it occurs suddenly or is accompanied by intense fear or violence. Although there is no specific treatment for sleep talking, managing stress and maintaining a good sleep schedule may help reduce its frequency.
FAQs About Sleep Talking
Is sleep talking a mental disorder?
Talking in your sleep is normal behavior and is not considered a sign of diagnosing mental illnesses. In fact, most sleep talkers don't have a mental illness. Still, since mental illnesses sometimes interfere with your sleep, it can lead to sleep talking.
How do I prevent talking in my sleep?
The best thing you can do to stop your sleep talking is to manage your stress and improve your sleep habits. Ways to improve your sleep include sticking to a regular sleep routine and aiming for at least seven hours of sleep each night. You should try to avoid caffeine for at least six hours before bedtime, limit drinking alcohol, exercise regularly, and keep your room dark and cool and free of electronics for at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep.
How do you deal with a sleep-talking partner?
You can help your partner manage their sleep talking by encouraging them to maintain healthy sleep habits.
Should I be worried if I sleep talk?
No, sleep talking can happen to anyone. It can often happen after you've had a disrupted sleep schedule, such as with jet lag and insomnia.
Why do I moan in my sleep?
Moaning or groaning in your sleep is a condition known as catathrenia that happens when you exhale. Unlike sleep talking, which can come and go, catathrenia often occurs nightly. Although it doesn't affect your general health, it can affect the quality of your sleep. If your catathrenia is disruptive enough, your doctor may recommend treatment, such as an oral appliance, a CPAP machine, or even surgery by an ENT doctor.
