Sometimes you might find yourself engaging in self-talk centered on rumination, or continuously talking about the same sad, negative, dark thoughts. This type of self-talk may be a sign of a mental health condition such as depression. Self-talk can also be a concern if it occurs as a result of hallucinations.
Sleep talking usually occurs by itself and is most often harmless. However, in some cases, it might be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or health condition. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and sleep terrors are two types of sleep disorders that cause some people to shout during sleep.
Self-talk can be a symptom of a number of mental illnesses. It can be a sign of an anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. More severe mental illnesses associated with self-talk include schizophrenia and psychosis.
Rest assured, the habit is completely within the norm — and can even be beneficial. “Yes, research shows that talking to yourself is not at all 'crazy' and that, in fact, it is a normal human behavior,” clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, Ph.
Self-talk is a healthy way to build motivation, calm nerves or analyze a tricky situation. “It's a useful way to check in with yourself and organize thoughts and feelings,” says health psychologist Grace Tworek, PsyD.
Most people talk to themselves regularly. This may happen when thinking through ideas, when debating decisions, or when in need of a pep talk. Some people feel that self-talk creates a “presence” around them that makes them feel better. This can help with loneliness.
Some people with schizophrenia appear to talk to themselves as they respond to the voices. People with schizophrenia believe that the hallucinations are real.
Though most cases of sleep talking aren't associated with other serious health issues, it's possible that it could be related to: Obstructive sleep apnea. REM sleep behavior disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
This usually occurs in the lighter stages of Non-REM sleep (Stages 1 and 2) and usually sleepers have no memory of these vocalizations. The actual words or phrases have little to no truth, and usually occur when they are stressed, during times of fever, as a medication side effect or during disrupted sleep. '
Turn down your stress levels
Stress is also why you want to sleep but your brain won't stop talking to itself. That's because when the mind is under pressure, it releases a hormone called cortisol, which is also what the body uses to wake you up in the morning. Cortisol causes your heart to beat fast.
Stress and anxiety can cause racing thoughts at night that prevent you from getting the sleep you need. By identifying your stress, scheduling time to attend to your worries, and establishing a healthy bedtime routine, you may be able to avoid racing thoughts and sleep more soundly.
Repeat a word or do a mental puzzle
One of the early, but effective solutions to overthinking and intrusive thoughts in bed is called “articulatory suppression,” in which you would mouth a word at a rate that makes thinking about any other thought difficult ― usually 3 to 4 times a second.
Sometimes you might find yourself engaging in self-talk centered on rumination, or continuously talking about the same sad, negative, dark thoughts. This type of self-talk may be a sign of a mental health condition such as depression. Self-talk can also be a concern if it occurs as a result of hallucinations.
A study by Kornreich and colleagues found that people with bipolar disorder were likelier to talk to themselves during manic episodes than during depressive episodes or when in a euthymic (normal) state. The researchers suggested that self-talk could be used as a marker for the presence of manic symptoms.
When you suffer from OCD, you attempt to manage your intrusive thoughts and the anxiety they cause by seeking reassurance from yourself. This type of self-talk can be easily mistaken for positive self-talk or positive affirmations that we know to be effective when we are dealing with anxiety.
Why does imagining a fake scenario or story help you sleep? Using your imagination to think about yourself in a desirable situation is a great way of distracting you from day-to-day worries or concerns. It is also a good way of stopping you from getting frustrated at how difficult you're finding falling asleep.
Factitious disorder is considered rare, but it's not known how many people have the disorder. Some people use fake names to avoid detection, some visit many different hospitals and doctors, and some are never identified — all of which make it difficult to get a reliable estimate.
It's perfectly normal and healthy to talk to yourself. Whether it's out loud or in your head, self-talk helps people subconsciously process feelings, think through problems, and weigh options when making decisions.
For what can now be considered a brilliant news for your social stature, talking to yourself may indicate a higher level of intelligence. While talking to yourself is an absolute social no-no, possibly pointing towards a disorder, research suggests otherwise.
1) It helps you develop a positive mindset
You see, when you talk to yourself in the mirror, you are trying to focus on what's good about yourself. This way, you are taking control of your thoughts and feelings and positively directing them. For some people, talking to yourself can be quite weird.