Speaking
in sleep (somniloquie) is a phenomenon, the causes of
which have not yet been fully explored. Affected people utter either
single words or sounds or entire sentences during sleep, which is sometimes
extremely fascinating for observers. In ancient time as well as in the
Middle Ages, it was even believed that the sleepers at Somniloquie communicate
with the gods and thus divulge predictions of the future or divine
wisdom. Accordingly, what was said was often even written down. Our
article on this topic will reveal what is actually behind talking in your
sleep. techwadia
definition
In medicine, somniloquia is the term used to
describe conversations, words and sounds that usually occur in those affected during
the REM phase, i.e. the sleep phase in which we also have the most
dreams. Occasionally, however, the phenomenon can also be observed in
phases of non-REM sleep or when switching between the individual sleep phases.
It is estimate that 50 percent of all three to ten
year olds experience such sleep problems in childhood. However, speaking
during sleep usually disappears during puberty , which
is why only about 5-17 percent of all people have somniloquia in
adulthood. Men are affect much more often than women. The phenomenon
is considered to be a rather harmless variant of insomnias (sleep disorders)
and especially of the so-called parasomnias. You can find detail on this
in our special article on sleep problems .
Even though speaking during sleep does not pose any
health risks even to those affected, sleep conversations can still be a heavy
burden for partners and - like snoring - lead to disturbances in sleep for the
partner. Relatives also often puzzle over the meaning or the well-being of
the partner or try to unravel what has been said at night, since the words and
sentences are often only mumbled. Because the speech muscles relax during
sleep, so that clear pronunciation is often not possible. The nocturnal
disturbances often lead to poor restful sleep for spouses and life partners,
which can put a long-term strain on the relationship. In addition, sleep
conversations occasionally provide information about existing emotional stress
or other health problems. bolts
causes
As already mentioned, the exact causes of
somniloquia have not yet been conclusively clarified. In any cases, there
are various factors that favor speaking during sleep:
- Hereditary factors: It seems to be certain that somniloquie often
has familial clusters. Consequently, the likelihood that the children
will tend to be higher if one or both parents talk in their
sleep. However, this does not mean that this sleep phenomenon cannot
occur without certain family dispositions.
- Emotional stress: Regardless of whether it is stress in everyday life, unresolved emotional
trauma or inner fears and worries - there are many conceivable reasons for
emotional stress that people talk about in their sleep. The
somniloquie is closely connected with the processing of sensory
impressions that were collected during the day or in moments of traumatic
experiences. The phenomenon usually lasts until the emotional
conflict is resolved.
- Dreams: If the somniloque occurs during REM sleep or during the
transition from a phase of non-REM sleep to REM sleep, sleep conversations
can also be the expression of vivid dreams. What is said in
the dream is pronounced aloud and is therefore
comparable to sleepwalking or
movements in sleep.
- Influence of intoxicants: The influence of alcohol is seen as a particularly
favorable factor . The intoxicant generally contributes to a
number of sleep disorders, including snoring, bed-wetting, and nightmares . Talking in sleep is also
relatively common among people who consume alcohol regularly and also a
lot. The same applies to other intoxicants and especially when using
chemical drugs. As a result, somniloquie can in some cases also
indicate pronounced alcohol addiction or
substance abuse.
- Other causes: Fever or
febrile illnesses as well as other sleep disorders occurring in
combination with somniloquia can promote speaking during sleep. For
example, if those affected suffer from nightmares at the same time, this
can lead to screaming during sleep.
Concomitant
symptoms
The accompanying symptoms when talking in sleep are
highly dependent on the underlying causes. Illness-related or with
simultaneous nightmares
- Sweats,
- High
blood pressure ,
- or palpitations conceivable.
Deviating moods, for example sadness or extreme joy, can accompany the somniloquie
depending on the dream events.
In the case of spouse and life partners who sleep
in the same bed with the person concerned, the sleep disorder also raises some
side effects. For example, they are often tired and irritable during the
day due to the nocturnal disturbances. If the somniloquia lasts longer and
is particularly pronounced, this can permanently lead to insomnia and sleep
disorders in the partner - with the following accompanying symptoms:
- Fatigue ,
- Dark
circles ,
- Mood swings and easy irritability,
- Heart and circulatory problems,
- Concentration and coordination disorders
- Headache ,
- Performance degradation,
- Disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle
- and daytime sleepiness.
In this way, somniloquie, even if it has no disease value in itself, can
become an enormous burden for a relationship, which is why it is advisable to
consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.
diagnosis
In most case, the diagnosis is made by relatives
who have witnessed the speech in their sleep. A visit to the sleep laboratory
usually reveals more details about the extent and possible causes of the sleep
disorder. Starting with a sleep questionnaire, in which the patient -
possibly also his partner - notes down information on the frequency and
peculiarities of the sleep disorders as well as possible health complaints and
accompanying symptoms, first assumptions about the causes and the extent of the
somniloquia can be made. Particularly information on the stress for the
partner shows here whether treatment is necessary or not. In addition, a
patient survey (anamnesis) often helps.
Following the preliminary survey, sleep behavior is
examined using special procedures such as electroencephalography (EEG), the
electrocardiogram (EKG) or camera monitoring. For this purpose, the patient
and possibly also the partner are connected to appropriate equipment overnight
under real sleeping conditions or are filmed while they are sleeping. In
this way, sleep patterns can be recorded precisely and the individual times at
which the somniloquia occurs can be recorded. The monitoring also reveals
any accompanying sleep disorders such as snoring or nightmares. If there
is a specific suspicion, for example of alcohol consumption or drug abuse,
laboratory tests of the blood count are also common.
therapy
In most cases, talking in sleep does not need
special attention. However, if there are specific dangers to the patient's
health due to the cause or if the somniloquia impairs peaceful coexistence with
the partner, targeted treatment measures are definitely conceivable. The
following therapeutic approaches are available as an option
psychotherapy
If emotional stress in the form of unprocessed
trauma is responsible for the somniloquia, it is important to address this in
talk therapy. Any relationship conflicts that arise from the lack of sleep
or the worries of the partner can also be addressed here. In some cases, a
specialist therapeutic hypnosis can help against sleep disorders.
Stress in everyday life can also be a case for
psychotherapeutic behavior training. Similar to traumatic experiences,
stress sometimes requires specialist help to end the situation. Learning
the right behavior to deal with stressful situations can therefore help reduce
sleep disorders.
Relaxation
measures
Soothing the thoughts before going to sleep through
suitable private measures and thus reducing the risk of nightmares and violent
dream events is also a high priority in the treatment of
somniloquia. Targeted relaxation measures, such as those carried out for
example
- autogenic
training ,
- relaxing massages,
- Meditation,
- Qi Gong,
- or yoga
are taught, also support the stress reduction in
everyday life and are therefore another treatment option. Even singing
bowl therapies help some sufferers here. The same applies to light
movement therapies in the form of relaxing walks, which are best led through
the calming nature or forest surroundings. When exercising, a measured
approach is required, because extreme sports increase the release of
stimulating stress hormones such as adrenalines and noradrenaline, which can
impair a peaceful sleep if the sport is practiced right before going to bed.
Furthermore, relaxation in the private sphere can
also be specifically promoted through stress-free everyday planning and fixed
sleep rituals. In particular, hectic and mentally disturbing activities,
such as watching lurid horror or action films, playing computer and console
games, and listening to loud and aggressive music before going to bed, is a
somniloquie-promoting factor for many people if the sleep disorder is already
present is.
