Sleepwalking / talking / nightmares?
Question:
Answers:
SLEEP TALKING
Sleep talking (somniloquy) refers to any utterance made during sleep, from one word to entire sentences. It can be brought on by stress or some illness. It is relatively harmless although disturbing to room mates.
SYMPTOMS:
Speaking or muttering during sleep
Sleeper is not aware he is talking
Sometimes shouting, singing or moaning
May be associated with other sleep disorders
May be associated with physical or mental illness
TREATMENT
Avoid or eliminate stress.
Try relaxation techniques or meditation.
Have someone awaken you
SLEEP WALKING
Sleep walking (somnambulism) refers to everything from sitting up in bed to getting up and performing detailed tasks. The sleeper does these things as though in a trance. It's relatively harmless provided the walker is protected from harmful situations like upper story windows, bunk beds and stairs.
SYMPTOMS:
Rising from the bed during sleep
Blank face. Stares into space
Unresponsive when spoken to
Difficult to awaken
No recall of the incident
May consist of sitting up making walking motions, actually walking, or even performing detailed tasks.
TREATMENT
Again, as in nightmares, sleep talking, etc., stress can be a big factor.
Try relaxation techniques or meditation prior to bed time.
Avoid becoming over tired or fatigued.
Some drugs can cause episodes of sleep walking.
Avoid the use of alcohol.
If you sleep with someone, have them awaken you if you become restless.
If you sleep walk, make sure your surroundings are safe and obstacle free. Avoid sleeping upstairs or in an upper bunk
Nightmares
It's important to distinguish between nightmares and night terrors. The two occur during different stages of sleep. Night terrors occur during NREM sleep, cause screaming and thrashing about and are rarely remembered in detail.
Nightmares occur in REM sleep. They cause fear but rarely the screaming and other symptoms associated with night terrors. Nightmares can be remembered as well or badly as any other dream.
Just Bad Dreams?
A nightmare is in effect "just" a bad dream, albeit a very intense one. However nightmares can be extremely distressing and should not be discounted.
During a nightmare the pulse may increase and the body sweat - physiological responses to a very real feeling of fear. Nightmares usually result in the sleeper waking with a feeling of fear or anxiety however this soon passes.
It's wrong to say "only children have nightmares". Certainly children seem to have more nightmares, however most adults still have them on occasion. One difference seems to be that adults are better at ignoring their nightmares. By next morning adults often forget that they had a nightmare - or at least manage to suppress the memory.
What Causes Nightmares?
There's no single cause of nightmares. Sometimes physical factors can be involved, such as illness and/or medication. Sometimes a nightmare reflects some unusual stress or trauma in the waking world. Sometimes it is just a result of small, niggling worries that have been ignored for too long.
Nightmares rarely cause any direct physical harm beyond interrupted sleep. However they can still have an indirect impact. Even if you put the nightmare aside as "just a bad dream", you can find yourself going through the next day feeling unusually irritable, moody or depressed. An unresolved nightmare can lead to a bad day.
One suggestion is to try to "neutralise" the nightmare before going back to sleep. Lie back and visualise a positive, peaceful and happy alternative to the nightmare. If you were being chased, perhaps you turn and face the pursuer, only to discover it's a cuddly teddy bear just having fun. If you were falling, perhaps you float gently down onto a thick feather mattress covered with silk sheets. Even if you can't think of a specific alternative to the dream, be sure to conjure up pleasant scenes and emotions.
If you find that you tend to have repeated nightmares about the same theme, you might want to consider addressing this via lucid dreaming.
Other Answers:
Are they jokes or myths only?
it is just the demon inside of you wanting to take a piss at night SLEEP TALKING
Sleep talking (somniloquy) refers to any utterance made during sleep, from one word to entire sentences. It can be brought on by stress or some illness. It is relatively harmless although disturbing to room mates.
SLEEP WALKING
Sleep walking (somnambulism) refers to everything from sitting up in bed to getting up and performing detailed tasks. The sleeper does these things as though in a trance.
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