Somniloquy: Symptoms And Causes Of This Parasomnia
Most people know someone who talks in their sleep. Be it a simple emission of meaningless sounds, single words or even entire conversations in which the subject is even able to answer questions.
It may seem like a strange phenomenon, but although it is understood as a sleep disturbance somniloquy or somniloquy is highly common and is not usually linked to severe problems. In this article we briefly explore the concept and what it entails.
Somniloquy or somniloquy (both forms are correct) is a parasomnia, a disorder or alteration in which abnormal behaviors appear during the sleeping period. Specifically In somniloquy the subject utters words during sleep with complete absence of voluntariness on their part.
The intensity with which one speaks can vary greatly, ranging from whispers to outright screams. They may also show signs of emotion, such as laughing or crying. These episodes in which the subject speaks usually last no more than a few seconds or minutes, with no subsequent memory of having spoken.
The content of speech is usually not intelligible, although Sometimes you can utter meaningful words and even phrases Sometimes small monologues are established or it may even seem like they are talking to someone in their dreams. And although in some cases people who perceive such speech may try to ask the sleeping subject something and it appears to respond, it is unlikely that it will respond directly to the stimulation.
Somniloquy is a very common phenomenon in children, being normal even though it may seem worrying. It also happens in adults in an equally harmless way, although in some cases there may be some type of problem or disorder behind it (for example anxiety).
What produces it?
Although the process that makes people talk during sleep is not completely understood, and it can appear during any phase of sleep, it can be speculated that the mechanism by which somniloquy appears is similar to that caused by other parasomnias : an imbalance in the activation/inhibition of brain areas that occurs during the different phases of sleep, especially in phases 3 and 4 of REM sleep and in the REM phase (times when somniloquy usually appears).
For example, during REM sleep muscle tone greatly decreases while physiological activity increases, but in people with somniloquy the brain areas that control orofacial muscle activity remain active and they allow the subject to speak in their dreams. Something similar happens during deep sleep: muscle tone increases and sympathetic activity is reduced.
In what situations does it usually appear?
Somniloquy is very common throughout development, in children and adolescents. As we get older, however, it becomes less and less common.
It is common for somniloquy to appear associated with other sleep disorders , such as night terrors and sleepwalking. It can also appear in the event of intoxication due to substance use, in febrile states and in times of high stress, as well as in mental disorders such as mood, anxiety and some dissociative states.
In itself, somniloquy is not harmful, but it can cause social disturbances in those people who sleep with others. For example, it may cause the partner or companion to not be able to sleep properly or words, names or comments may appear that may be misinterpreted. O well can generate fear or concern in the environment (especially when crying, laughing or screaming appears).
Both this and the idea that something inappropriate could be said can cause some of the people who experience it to be avoid contact with your partner during the night or sleep in the same room which can lead to problems in the relationship.
Is treatment required?
Although it is considered a parasomnia or sleep disturbance, somniloquy is not considered a pathology and it does not usually cause any real problem for the individual (although it can be a nuisance if the person sleeps with someone). In general, therefore, it is not necessary to apply any type of treatment.
Despite this, in cases where it occurs persistently or is annoying the use of relaxation and sleep hygiene is recommended , as well as creating habits that allow efficient rest. A good preparation of the environment before sleeping is usually useful, as well as avoiding the consumption of stimulants during the hours prior to the sleeping period.
It must also be taken into account that sometimes somniloquy is derived from the existence of emotional or anxious problems, in which case the problems that cause them should be specifically worked on. It is also possible that the patient fears sleeping with someone due to the possibility of being a nuisance or saying something that will cause problems with their partner, which may require treatment.
