Sleep talking (Somniloquy)

Sleep talking (Somniloquy) 

It is common in both children and adults. It has been studied extensively in sleep laboratory and found to occur in all stages of sleep.  

What are the features 

Sleep talking usually involves a few words but there may be verbalisations which could be embarrassing to the sleep talkers. Sometimes sleep talkers content include the activities of day time. Some time sleep talkers talking involves the sleeper’s life and concerns, but they do not relate their dreams during sleep.

Sleep talkers do not usually reveal any deep secrets as people believe.  Sleep talkers are not aware of their problem. Sleep talking at times is associated with night terror and sleep walking. 

Why sleep talking happens? 

There is no definite reason to believe why sleep talking happens but anxiety and exhaustion seem to be main reason which can increase it’s occurrence. There is also association of diseases such as gastro-esophageal reflux, sleep apnoea syndrome and epilepsy etc needed to be treated.  

Implication of sleep talking 

It signifies that the sleep talkers may have anxiety which increases the episodes of sleep talking. Sleep talking does not reveal any secret of the sleep talker. The persons sleeping in the same room may feel disturbed due to sleep talking and other associated sleep disorders.   

Sleep talking though is common in childhood but it continues in the adult age for indefinite time. 

How to manage sleep talking 

Ø      Go to bed relaxed and try to avoid any kind of excitation before sleep.

Ø      Try to avoid alcohol and heavy meals before bed time.

Ø      Try to have adequate sleep, deprivation of which increases the sleep talking.

Ø      Medications to treat sleep disorders usually not indicated unless there is associated sleep disorders such as sleepwalking or night terror.