Sleep Talker

I've been talking in my sleep since I was eleven. Sometimes I talk, sometimes I mumble, and sometimes I scream. Everyone (almost) that has ever slept next to me has experienced this one way or another. When I was younger and would talk in my sleep my brother (while awake) would talk back to me and actually have a conversation with me. I'm glad at least some people have found this entertaining. My family and close friends are pretty much used to it by now, so all they have to say is "shut up and go back to sleep" and I'll usually listen. But it could lead to some very embarrassing situations, especially when sleeping in the same room with someone new without informing them first. My old roommate in college (shout out to Ava!) was aware and used to my screaming for some time, but it was immensely embarrassing when her boyfriend (now fiance, congrats!!) slept over. The good thing is that I can never remember what I did or said, so I can't be held accountable, right? So now every time I have a new roommate I have to give them this disclaimer, "I'm clean, I like to cook, I'm considerate, and oh, I occasionally scream bloody murder in my sleep."

I can never remember what I dream about, but it can't be good if I'm screaming. And I never know if I talked or screamed unless someone else hears me. I have a theory that I was abducted for 5-10 minutes when I was younger, and then repressed the memory so that it only comes back when I sleep. Either that or my brother made me watch too many Freddie Kruger movies at 3am. The thing is, I'm generally a happy person during the day, so I'm not quite sure what I would be screaming about or who I would be screaming at during my sleep. My nightmares have no affect on me whatsoever, and unless someone else told me I would never even know I had them. I vaguely remember having a nightmare that someone came into our hotel room in Beijing, and apparently I tried to run away before Romika grabbed me and stopped me.

Anyway, even though I was awake when I screamed on the plane to Singapore, I think it's time to see a sleep therapist about this. I mean, I'm 26 for god's sake, I should not be having nightmares! The only time I don't talk or scream in my sleep is when someone is spooning me, and I think that's because I feel safe and secure. So since I do not yet have a permanent spooning partner, I think it's time to get this thing checked out. I mean, what kind of person am I to make babies cry on airplanes?!