Sleep-talking: "I was told i had spiritual problems"

Sunderland resident opens up about her sleep talking experience.

Sunderland resident, Miriam Nwosu, once believed she was struggling with "spiritual problems" due to her chronic sleeping disorder (sleep talking).

Sleep talking, scientifically referred to as somniloquy, is a frequently encountered sleep disorder where individuals talk while asleep.

This behaviour during sleep can range from complex dialogues or monologues to incomprehensible gibberish or mumbling.

Miriam Nwosu, originally from Nigeria, said: "I have been sleep talking since I was a child, and it stuck with me into adulthood. Initially, I was told it was normal for kids, but as I grew older, some started attributing it to spiritual problems.

"Despite seeking medical help, I still felt like something was off. It got to the point where I avoided sleeping away from home out of fear, and even my friends and boyfriend at the time became hesitant to have me over."

"I was told by really close people that i had spiritual problems, and it got to a point when i actually believed it."

The 32-year-old care worker said that over the years, going to sleep became more of a chore, as she often felt either interrupted, judged, or discriminated against.

" It took me years to realise that while I may not be able to stop the sleep talking completely, I can certainly take steps to manage it better. I stopped focusing on it before bed, made changes to my diet, and prioritised getting enough rest when needed", she added.

Ms. Nwosu also said she now prioritises her health and well-being over working extra shifts or chasing after money.

A recent study shows that about 66% of adults experience sleep talking at some point in their lives. However, this phenomenon is even more prevalent among children and adolescents.

Mental Health UK (MH) said: "Sleep is crucial for our mental and physical well-being. However, we are experiencing a sleep epidemic; nationwide, almost 1 in 5 people in the UK aren’t getting enough sleep.

"Poor mental health can affect our sleep quality, and poor sleep can negatively impact our mental health.

"A lack of sleep can cause impaired judgement and emotional dysfunction, increasing the risk of psychological distress and mental health issues developing.

"Understanding that good sleep is preventative against poor mental health is essential for sleep equity worldwide," MH UK added.

Meanwhile, the Mirrow reports that people who fail to get enough sleep can be plagued by fatigue, a lack of focus, type 2 diabetes, weight gain and even suffer ageing. One study, conducted by the UCLA found that a single night of insufficient sleep can make an older adult's cells age quicker.

Lead Author, Judith Carroll PHD, said: "Our data support the hypothesis that one night of not getting enough sleep in older adults activates important biological pathways that promote biological ageing."