Spotlight On Sleep Talking

Writers of detective stories and spy thrillers have hinged many a plotline twist on plans and secrets divulged because a pivotal character talks in their sleep. But, in reality, for the most part sleep talking is comprised of nonsensical babble. Not the kind of detailed, thought-through speech that would contain the plans printed on a secret microfilm or a world-threatening nuclear secret. Although people who talk in their sleep may speak clearly from time to time, mostly it’s indecipherable mumbling resembling that of a person who’s had one cocktail too many. Sleep talking can range from quiet whispers to loud and violent outbursts that can seem alarming and out of character. Sleep talking can take the form of one side of a conversation or can be a long, continuous, meandering speech.

Sleep talking occurs more frequently in children. About 50% of kids chat away in their sleep whereas only about 5% of adults regularly talk in their sleep. It’s also a common misconception that people are acting out their dreams when they talk in their sleep. Most of the time a sleep talker isn’t even in a dream state. Sleep talking generally occurs during all sleep cycles, not just REM, the dream cycle.

Sleep talking is rarely a health problem, but it can be a symptom of REM sleep behavior disorder or sleep terrors. Sleep terrors are traumatizing for a sleeper to experience. They can cause someone to thrash around in bed, kick and scream loudly. People with REM sleep behavior disorder are also known to yell and act out violently. If you, your sleep partner or child’s sleep talking or behaviors have taken on a physical and aggressive tone, it may be cause to see a doctor or sleep specialist.