what causes sleep talking in adults

Sleep talking, or somniloquy, is a common occurrence and is not usually considered a medical problem. However, it can be associated with certain conditions such as sleep apnea, night terrors, chronic pain, and mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The exact cause of sleep talking is unclear, but it may be triggered by stress, fatigue, exhaustion, feverish sleep, general illness, or alcohol or drug use. Some medications, such as antidepressants, are also found to cause sleep talking. Sleep talking can also occur with other parasomnias such as sleepwalking, teeth grinding, and nightmares. Although sleep talking is generally harmless, it may cause personal problems if the sleeper says something that adversely affects their relationships. To reduce sleep talking occurrences, avoiding stress and getting enough restful sleep each night may help.