Girlfriend's Unusual Nighttime Behavior
The title sums it up fairly well, but to clarify, she’s not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I'm an 18-year-old female, and my girlfriend is 17; we’ve been together for two years and often fall asleep on FaceTime. However, at approximately 2:30 am this morning, I woke up to the peculiar sound of her conversing with herself. Initially, I believed she was speaking with a family member, but after texting her, it became evident that none of her messages made any sense. She seemed to think she was having a conversation with her boss, then transitioned to speaking to me, and then shifted focus to a friend—while she repeatedly called her sister by my name. Throughout this entire episode, both her mother and I were receiving messages from her that were completely incoherent. Despite our pleas for her to lie down and get some sleep, she stubbornly refused to rest. There’s no prior instance of her talking in her sleep or walking around at night, and she doesn't seem to be asleep either, as her eyes are wide open and she is moderately engaged in conversation with me via FaceTime. From my perspective, her thoughts appeared to be scattered, resulting in a delay in her response to each question, with her replies often lacking clarity. Her texts, on the other hand, were utterly nonsensical. Here’s one example of a text I received: "I jofijtnanxart but then oinlose it somewhere in my house and then mad could elk like wehstsbhenfonnwndo." Anyway, does anyone have any insights into what might be happening? This has been going on for at least four hours now.
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 10:21:01 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your girlfriend is experiencing an unusual and disorienting episode during the night that can be concerning. What you’ve described could potentially be categorized as a type of sleep disturbance, possibly associated with a phenomenon known as somniloquy (sleep talking) or a more complex sleep disorder.
Explanation:
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Possible Causes:
- Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep talking or night terrors can cause individuals to engage in conversations or exhibit confusing behavior while they are not fully awake.
- Stress or Anxiety: High-stress levels can sometimes manifest during sleep as erratic behavior, even if she doesn't consciously feel stressed.
- Sleep Deprivation: If she hasn’t been getting enough sleep, it may affect her brain's functioning during nighttime.
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Your Concerns:
- Your observation of her scattered thoughts and incoherent messages indicates that she wasn't fully aware of her surroundings or the conversation, which may be linked to a disrupted sleep cycle or confusion due to partial arousal.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a log of these episodes if they continue. Document the frequency, duration, and any patterns (such as stressors or changes in her routine).
- Encourage Rest: Gently suggest she maintain a consistent sleep schedule to improve her overall sleep hygiene, which can reduce disturbances. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Reduce Distractions: Encourage a calm nighttime environment by limiting screen time before bed, avoiding stimulants like caffeine, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Stay Supportive: If these episodes persist or become more frequent, encourage her to talk to a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. As her partner, your reassurance and understanding are vital during this time.
Feel free to keep track of how she’s doing, and don’t hesitate to reach out for more specific advice based on her ongoing experience. It’s important to address these behaviors with care and support.
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