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Sleep Talking and Fighting

by Mindy Baxter
(New Brunswick, Canada)

I have had sleep problems as far back as I can remember. I yell and scream. I hit my partner when I'm fighting in my dreams. Sometimes I can remember what I said when I was dreaming.


One night while sleeping I knew I was talking, and I couldn't stop until I said what I felt needed to be said. I was telling my partner, actually reassuring him, that everything was going to be ok. Then I told him not to worry anymore.

There are episodes of yelling, screaming, talking, and literally fighting. One night my partner said I sat right up and started singing Amazing Grace. This is weird even for me.

I also seem to remember everything I forgot to do when I go to sleep. I was telling Rob one night something I forgot to tell him during the day.

Any ideas?

Comments for Sleep Talking and Fighting

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Jan 06, 2018
 Cursing and imaginary fighting while sleeping NEW
by: Anonymous

I have been causing my wife disrupted sleep, by talking in my sleep, or cursing at some unknown person in my sleep, or falling out of bed while entering into an imaginary combative episode with my imaginary opponent. I don't recall any of my conversations when I awake, but my wife insists that she generally has to put her hand on my shoulder and call my name, before I return to a sleeping condition. I worry that these episodes are increasing, and I don't appear to have any control or awareness of these night time situations. I am beginning to think that I need to sleep in another bedroom in our home, just so that my wife can get her sleep, and that I am not disturbing or alarming her in any way. What do you make of this?
Mar 12, 2018
 Fighting and RBD NEW
by: Anonymous- Northern California

I have just discovered there is a name for what I’m experiencing...RBD .... REM Behavioral Disorder. It’s freightening to say the least but now it has a name and I’m not alone.
I’m 76 years old, not over weight, healthy, no medicines except a low dose simistatin for cholesterol. Quit smoking 37 years ago and may have a glass of wine or a beer once a month. I only mention these things because a history of alcoholism and or smoking has been suggested as possible contributing factors for RBD.
My episodes started probably a year ago: I dream I’m in a fight or flight situation and usually lash out with a kick or a punch. The 1st few times I remained in bed when I woke up. Then I found myself half on, half off the bed,..then as a crumpled mess on the floor, and this last time the crash was so horrific I woke up like in instant replay as I slammed my head onto the floor so violently I screamed in pain ! Three days later I still have a headache. I’m afraid to fall asleep. I’m looking for a medical style helmet to buy, and bed rails, and body restraints. The danger from the physical aspects of this disease is bad enough, but the prognosis for Parkinson’s and Dementia is truly terrifying.
Mar 08, 2019
 Deprived Sleep
by: Anonymous

I have very similar symptoms as others wrote
How do I get Help!
May 26, 2020
 Sleep fighting and talking NEW
by: Anonymous

My husband talks and fights in his sleep, at times he yells out
And scares me as I am startled in the night by loud screaming.
It’s so bad that I put large pillows in between us when we sleep because he has hit and kicked me and pulled my hair while in one of his episodes. I know he is not getting enough sleep and I am not getting enough sleep because of him. He has had a sleep study and sleeps with a CPAP and still continues to do this. I don’t know what to do. Help!

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