You may find yourself one night after going to bed, only to have other family members tell you that you have been talking to yourself all night. What's even more bizarre is that people with sleep talking disorder do not remember anything they said when they wake up in the morning, even if they have disturbed others. In Dalili Medical, you will find out the questions that many people have about the possible causes of sleep talking.

**Who are sleep talkers?**

Many people talk in their sleep, with half of children between the ages of 3 and 10 showing that they talk at night, while the percentage reaches about 5% among adults. A 2004 survey showed that one in ten children talk in their sleep a few nights a week. It was also found that the rate of sleep talking is almost equal between girls and boys.

**Causes of sleep talking**

There are common beliefs that sleep talking is caused by dreams, but researchers are not sure of this, as sleep talking can occur at any stage of sleep.

Here are some possible causes of sleep talking:

**Sleep behavior disorders**: Dreams occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which accounts for about 20-25% of total sleep time. During this stage, the mind becomes active, the eyes move rapidly, blood pressure rises, and the heart rate increases, making brain wave activity similar to that of wakefulness. Your body remains at rest, almost paralyzed during REM, preventing you from constructing your dream. This happens in people with sleep behavior disorder, who feel as if they are awake and actually act out their sleep. If you fall into this category, you may talk in your sleep, engage in violence, or sleepwalk.

**Psychological disorder**The causes of sleep talking in adults may be linked to a psychological disorder or nocturnal seizures, especially if you have this condition repeatedly. Sleep talking associated with a mental or medical illness usually affects people over the age of 25. Scientists have not yet determined whether a mental health problem leads to the disorder, or if having a sleep disorder can eventually lead to a mental health disorder.

**Stress and anxiety**: Feeling stressed and anxious every day can affect a person's sleep, leading to sleep talking. When the mind is burdened with negative thoughts and feelings, a person can express them while sleeping. Research shows that people with high levels of anxiety tend to do this involuntarily.

**Dreams and nightmares**: Emotional dreams and nightmares can be a trigger for sleep talking. When a person experiences an intense dream, it can lead to a vocal interaction that translates into sleep talking. Nightmares, in particular, can be the primary trigger due to the strong emotions they trigger.

**Psychological disorders**: Suffering from some psychological disorders such as severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause sleep talking as a result of the overlapping of deep thoughts and feelings that appear during sleep. People with these disorders are more likely to do so due to the intense mental experiences they go through.

**Emotional stress**: Experiencing major emotional events such as the loss of a loved one or relationship problems may increase the likelihood of sleep talking, as the mind expresses emotional conflicts unconsciously during this period, which leads to the emergence of this problem.

**Genetics and genetic factors**: Studies indicate that there are genetic factors that may contribute to the occurrence of this phenomenon. If a family member suffers from sleep talking, the likelihood of it occurring in others in the family may be higher, which indicates that genes may play a role in determining these behaviors during sleep.

**Sleep disorders**: Suffering from some sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia can lead to night talking, as these disorders affect the sleep cycle and make it unstable, which increases the likelihood of this problem appearing. For example, people who suffer from sleep apnea suffer from frequent awakenings, which may increase the chances of this phenomenon occurring.

**Brain chemicals**: Changes in the levels of some chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters, may affect sleep and wakefulness patterns, and thus contribute to sleep talking. The chemical balance in this area is vital to regulating sleep, and any imbalance in this balance can lead to unusual behaviors during sleep.

**Medications and drugs**: Taking some medications, especially those that affect the central nervous system, may increase the likelihood of sleep talking. Drug and alcohol abuse can also negatively affect the quality of sleep and lead to this phenomenon.

**Symptoms of sleep talking**
Walking or screaming.

Fear of sleep is one of the most important symptoms that appear.

Sleep apnea syndrome.

What are the causes of sleep talking?
Sleep talking is a type of sleep disorder known as parasomnia, as it occurs only during sleep. It can occur alone or in conjunction with other sleep disorders such as sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep eating, sleep paralysis, and sleep sex. Although the exact causes of sleep disorders are not clear, they are believed to be linked to certain conditions, often emotional, but also physical, that lead to strong emotions. These emotions include not only anxiety and fear, but also happiness and sexual arousal. Certain factors may contribute to sleep talking, including:

- Alcohol or drug use.

- Fatigue or exhaustion.

- TheDepression.

- Insomnia.

- Anxiety or stress.

- General medical conditions.

- Certain medications.

- Lack of sleep.

How common is sleep talking?

Studies suggest that only about 5% of adults talk in their sleep, however, it is thought that half of children talk in their sleep, while about 66% of people talk in their sleep at some point in their lives. Sleep talking can happen to anyone at any time, but it seems to be more common in children and men. There may also be a genetic link to sleep talking. So if your parents or other family members talked a lot in their sleep, you may also be at risk. Likewise, if you talk in your sleep and have children, you may notice that your children talk in their sleep too.

Sleep talking vs. dreaming** Sleep talking is not the same as dreaming, as dreaming occurs during a specific stage of sleep, called REM sleep, while sleep talking occurs during any of the four stages of sleep.

Speech characteristics can vary depending on the stage:

Stages 1 through 3: As a person transitions from wakefulness to sleep, they may have a full, intelligible conversation with themselves. As they move into deeper sleep, their speech may sound more slurred or unclear.

Stage 4 (REM sleep): This is the stage when a person is actively experiencing dreams. During this stage, the words spoken may seem inconsequential to anyone listening.

Dream talking can also occur in a condition known as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), in which a person’s dream is acted out, especially if it is physically or verbally frightening. While REM sleep is associated with decreased muscle activity during sleep, REM sleep behavior disorder is characterized by sudden, even violent movements. This is different from night terrors, which occur outside of REM sleep.

When should you see a doctor?

Sleep talking is usually not a problem unless it interferes with your partner’s sleep and causes them discomfort. If it’s affecting your relationship or your partner is concerned about it, it’s important to talk to your doctor or ask for a referral to a sleep specialist. You should also make an appointment with a sleep specialist if you’ve never talked in your sleep before, but suddenly start doing it as an adult. In such cases, sleep talking may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Sleep talking has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including:

- Dementia

- Parkinson’s disease

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Seizures

- Sleep apnea

All of these conditions are serious and require medical attention. Sometimes, sleep talking may be the first or only sign of an underlying health problem.

**Diagnosis of sleep talking**
Sleep talking can happen spontaneously, or it may be a sign of another sleep disorder. If your symptoms are bothersome or worrying, your health care provider may suggest keeping a sleep diary or having a sleep study.

. **Sleep Diary**A sleep diary can help you understand your sleep patterns by tracking and recording the following information:

- How long you sleep.

- Bedtimes.

- When you wake up.

- Factors that interfere with your sleep.

- Factors that affect your sleep, such as diet, exercise, medications, alcohol, and caffeine.

This information will help your healthcare provider determine the causes of sleep talking and provide tips for relieving symptoms. There are also apps and wearable devices that can help you monitor your sleep. It is best to keep a sleep diary for two weeks, noting the times you go to bed, the time you think you slept, and the times you wake up. You should also record the following:

The medications you take, and the time of day you take them.

What you drink each day and when, especially caffeinated beverages such as cola, tea, and coffee, as well as alcohol.

When you exercise

How can you stop talking in your sleep?

Sleep talking often does not require treatment, as it is rare and has few negative consequences.

However, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), focusing on improving sleep quality can be an effective step to reduce or even eliminate sleep talking episodes!

To ensure a restful sleep, it is recommended to:

- Stick to a regular sleep schedule every day, including holidays.

- Avoid caffeine or other stimulants in the afternoon and evening.

- Set aside time to relax, such as reducing the lights and putting away electronic devices for at least half an hour before bed.

- Create a sleeping environment free of lights and sound sources.

- Prepare a comfortable bed and choose high-quality bedding to enhance your sense of comfort.

**Benefits of Reading the Qur’an**
Reading the Qur’an is an effective treatment for the problem of sleep talking, as it has many benefits that benefit the heart and body. The most prominent of these benefits are as follows:

1. **Healing from diseases**: Reading the Qur’an contributes to healing various diseases that affect the heart and body, and it is a recommended Sunnah of the Prophet.

2. **Psychological calm**: The reader feels calm and reassured, which helps him free himself from feelings of fear and anxiety.

3. **Increasing awareness**: Reading the Quran enhances the reader's awareness and thinking.

4. **Gender equality**: Reading the Quran reflects the equality between men and women in the responsibilities and duties that fall on each of them.

**How ​​is sleep talking treated?**

Sleep talking usually does not require treatment, but it may be related to another health condition that requires intervention. For example:

- For people who suffer from chronic insomnia or night terrors, certain medications may be prescribed. Pre-sleep techniques such as meditation can also helpAnd improve sleep quality.

- For individuals suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or sleep problems caused by stress, cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, is often recommended.

- For those with sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be used to ensure they get enough oxygen while sleeping.

If sleep talking is disturbing to your bed partner, white noise machines, earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones may be helpful.

You can also sleep in separate beds or rooms.

In addition, the following lifestyle changes may help control sleep talking:

- Avoid alcohol completely.

- Avoid heavy meals before bed.

- Establish a regular sleep schedule.

**Treatment of sleep talking with the Holy Quran**
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi is an effective way to protect yourself while sleeping. It was reported in the hadith of Abu Hurairah - may Allah be pleased with him - that the Messenger - may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him - advised him to recite Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, as he said: "When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, and there will always be a guardian from Allah with you, and no devil will come near you until morning." The Prophet - may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him - confirmed that this statement is true even if the one who said it is lying.

It is also recommended to recite the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah, as the Prophet - may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him - said: "The two verses from the end of Surat al-Baqarah, whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him." It is understood from this that they suffice the person from all evil.

Another prophetic custom is to recite Surat al-Ikhlas with the two Mu'awwidhat. Aisha - may Allah be pleased with her - narrated that the Prophet - may God bless him and grant him peace - used to gather his hands together every night before sleeping, then blow into them and recite: "Say, He is Allah, the One," "Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak," and "Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind," then wipe his body with them, starting with his head and face and whatever he could of his body, and repeat this three times.

**Treatment of speech during sleep according to the Sunnah**
Allah has commanded us to follow the Prophet Muhammad - may God bless him and grant him peace - in all his instructions, as the Prophet performed many actions that we should emulate, such as prayer, zakat, and other acts of worship that are considered good Sunnah. The Messenger followed some steps in treating speech during sleep based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, and we will review them in the following paragraphs.

1- **Sleeping on the right side**

Sleeping on the right side is one of the habits that have proven effective in protecting the heart from diseases according to modern medicine. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) pointed out the benefits of this habit 1400 years ago

(Then lie on your right side and say: O Allah, I submit myself to You, and I entrust my affair to You, and I seek refuge with You, in awe and desire for You, there is no refuge or escape from You except to You, I believe in Your Book which You revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You sent, and if I die, I die on the fitrah, so make it the last thing I say. I said: I remember them, and by means of Your Messenger whom You sent, and He said: No, and by Your Prophet whom You sent.

2- Ablution before sleeping

To complete the treatment of talking during sleep according to the Qur’an, it is worth mentioning that ablution purifies a person from many of the sins he committed in his life. It is also considered a purification that Allah and His Messenger love. A hadith has been narrated from the Messenger in which he indicates the importance of ablution before sleeping, which is: “If you sleep, perform ablution for prayer.”