Symptom 3: Vocalization during Sleep
Third on our list of RBD symptoms is vocalization during sleep. This symptom extends the realm of dream enactment beyond the physical and into the vocal. Individuals with RBD don’t just move in response to their dreams; they often vocalize them as well.
Vocalizations can range from simple mumblings or whisperings to loud shouts, cries, or even full-blown conversations. It’s like the dialogues of the dream narrative are being broadcast live, pulled out from the echo chambers of the mind and given voice in the real world.
These vocal outbursts can disrupt the sleep environment, startling a bed partner, or even awakening the individual themselves. More than just a sleep disruption, this symptom can be disconcerting for those sharing a living space with the individual, contributing to heightened stress within the household. (3)
