Also called parasomnia, sleep talking is a kind of sleep abnormality that can interfere with your sleep and with the sleep of those next to you.
It is a common and yet, particularly frustrating problem.
Typically people who talk in their sleep are unaware of their actions and of the effect that they are having of the quality of their sleep.
Among many possible causes for sleep talking, the most common is stress.
Sometimes the mind is just unable to stop replaying all of the troubling events of the day.
There are also many other reasons that sleep talking might occur, including lack of sleep, eating too much before bed and not eating enough before going to sleep.
There is to date no medical 'cure' for sleep talking, but there are some things that can be done to help with this situation: Relaxation: There are many different types of stress relievers that might help this condition.
Different options include: massage, meditation or prayer, or exercise such as walking or yoga.
Anything that is found to be soothing in nature to the sleep talker may ease the problem.
Hypnosis: There are those people that say that since sleep talking is not a conscious decision, that hypnosis, which deals with the unconscious mind, is a good option.
Hypnotists feel that treating the disorder with hypnotic therapy has the potential to work well because it reaches the subconscious mind where the root of the problem lies.
Diet: Be careful what is eaten in the hours before going to bed.
Meals that are large and heavy, and high in fat are a bad option, especially right before going to sleep.
Do your best to eat a nutritious meal that is light before bed.
Things like alcohol, caffeine and energy drinks should also be avoided.
When all else fails, the most important piece of advice is to seek the help a professional therapist or licensed sleep specialist.
At times, the only way to properly diagnose and treat a sleep disorder is by working under the supervision of a sleep center.