SLEEP TALKING (SOMNILOQUY)

What is sleep talking?

Sleep talking is the utterence of speech or sounds during sleep without awareness of the event.

What are the symptoms?

• speech or utterances during sleep
• Episodes are not associated with awareness of talking
• Polysomnography (sleep recording) shows episodes of sleep talking that can occur in any stage of sleep
• It can be associated with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders
• It can be associated with medical disorders such as febrile illness (fever)
• It can be associated with other sleep disorders such as sleepwalking, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or REM sleep behavior disorder

Why do some people talk in their sleep?

Nobody knows for sure. Children seem to be prone to it, especially if they sleepwalk too. Some people carry on whole conversations, while others just moan and make other sounds. If the frequency of sleep talking is bothering the family and disrupting sleep for others, there are some things you can keep in mind.

• Make sure the sleep talker gets plenty of sleep every night, someone who is sleep deprived is more likely to sleep talk.
• Reduce the stress and anxiety levels
• Keep to a regular schedule of going to bed and getting up at the same time
• Don't eat a heavy meal right before bedtime
• If an episode occurs, make sure the sleep talker is safe and gently soothe them

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