Have you ever been awakened by mysterious moaning sounds in the middle of the night? If so, you may have experienced a phenomenon known as catathrenia. Catathrenia, also referred to as nocturnal groaning, is a parasomnia that involves moaning, groaning, or other unusual vocalizations during sleep. While catathrenia is not considered harmful or dangerous, it can be a cause for concern and may disrupt your sleep or that of your partner. In this article, we will explore the spiritual meaning behind catathrenia and whether it is bad or not.
What is Catathrenia? Understanding the Basics
The first step to getting to the bottom of catathrenia is understanding what it is and how it differs from other sleep-related symptoms.
Catathrenia is a sleep disorder that’s often confused with other conditions. Let’s break things down so you can start to see the differences.
Catathrenia vs. Sleep Talking
At first glance, catathrenia may seem similar to sleep talking, as both involve vocalizations during sleep. However, there are a few key differences between the two.
First, sleep talking can happen at any stage of sleep, whereas catathrenia only happens during REM sleep.
Secondly, catathrenia typically involves long, drawn-out moans, while sleep talking is generally more coherent. With catathrenia, the moaning sound lingers and may shift in pitch or tone, whereas sleep talking is often more varied.
Catathrenia vs. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and catathrenia can both cause loud noises during sleep. When someone has catathrenia, they exhale against a closed airway, which causes a moaning sound. With sleep apnea, someone stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer before their body fights to reopen the airway.
The main distinction between catathrenia and other forms of sleep apnea is the number of breathing interruptions. Sleep apnea can cause up to 100 breathing pauses in one hour. The pauses themselves can also be much longer than what you’d expect from someone who has catathrenia.
Catathrenia vs. Snoring
While snoring may be louder than catathrenia, it’s probably the most common source of confusion between these two symptoms.
When you snore, your body vibrates as you breathe in and out while you’re asleep. The vibration occurs because your airway is partially blocked. Snoring tends to be repetitive but can change patterns based on what position you’re sleeping in or if you have allergies.
Exploring the Spiritual Meanings of Catathrenia
People have been practicing dream interpretation for centuries. They believe that our dreams and the things we do in our sleep have some significance in our real life. This is why plenty of people are also trying to understand the spiritual meaning of catathrenia. Some people have already shared their own thoughts on the matter.
For instance, one person shared that they believe the spiritual significance of sleep moaning is due to the fact our bodies are always processing situations and feelings. While we’re awake, it’s a bit difficult to process things since we’re always busy. When we fall asleep, our bodies are finally able to process these feelings on an emotional and spiritual level.
Others think that sleep moaning could be a message from our guardian angels or spirit guides. They believe that something must be bothering you since you’re unconsciously moaning in your sleep. Our spirit guides and guardian angels find it important to help us by leaving these messages during such times.
Another point to consider is that a catathrenia spiritual meaning could also be a message coming from your subconscious self. It may be your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong with your life or your current situation. This could be your subconscious self’s way of telling you that something’s off.
Others share that they believe it could be a reminder to trust yourself more. The moaning noise may simply be a signal to encourage you to trust your instincts or gut feelings more often.
While there isn’t a definitive answer for the catathrenia spiritual meaning, these are still good reminders for those who have been experiencing this problem. It’s always important to check on yourself once in a while, especially if there’s something your body’s trying to tell you.
However, some people who experience catathrenia don’t find any significance behind their sleep moaning at all. Some still don’t think it’s such a big deal. At the end of the day, it’s still up to you to determine whether or not you should talk to someone about your catathrenia and possibly seek treatment.
Different Cultural Interpretations of Moaning in Sleep
Although the scientific community hasn’t thoroughly investigated catathrenia, it has been in the spotlight in cultural beliefs and spiritual interpretations. Here are two interpretations from different cultures around the world:
Something of the Paranormal
Many different cultures believe sleeping is a vulnerable time for spirits to enter your body. For example, the Chinese say that if a spirit hovers over you at night, it can enter into your mouth and possess you. This is why many Chinese people sleep with a charm under their pillow for protection.
In a similar vein, some cultures believe that moaning in your sleep means something spiritual is interacting with you. It may not even be a malevolent spirit—dreams and spirits that linger over you can be positive too.
There’s not necessarily an easy way to tell which cultures have which belief, but it’s safe to say that many other cultures don’t consider moaning to be catch-all good or bad sign. Dream meanings depend on the context of the dream or apparition itself. It’s difficult to provide blanket cultural significance.
Accurate Assessment of Health
There are cultures where spirituality and medical science are indistinguishable. In other words, some people believe in a strong connection between health and spirituality. This isn’t just alternative medicine in action—it’s a way of life.
In these cultures, moaning could be interpreted as meaning someone is trapped between this world and another. They may be exerting a lot of spiritual energy that could leave them drained if they wake up.
It’s important to understand we’re only capable of making educated guesses about the significance of spiritual beliefs from centuries ago. Many cultural interpretations of phenomena would not have been written down and many of them have faded into legend simply through loss of generations. A lot of it is speculation—but here at Mattress Advisor, we love a bit of speculation!
Signs of Spiritual Awakening or Communication
My friend, Heather, also suggested to me that although the catathrenia can happen sporadically to some, it can also be a sign of spiritual awakening. Similarly, there are people who say that the moaning is their spirit guide communicating with them.
I found an article on Love Signs that talks about sounds you may hear your spirit guide make and sleep talking is on the list. “Sometimes, just before you sleep or after you awake, you may hear sounds around you,” the article explains. “You may hear music, singing or talking. Your spirit guide could be communicating with you in different ways.”
At the same time, many people report an increased level of psychic abilities when they are undergoing a spiritual awakening. A spiritual awakening is described as a connection to an energy that is much greater than us.
“In fact, many people report experiencing different psychic abilities post-awakening,” according to Psychic 2 Tarot. “This could result in any number of things such as psychic dreams, hearing voices or seeing visions.”
Another reason why catathrenia could be spiritually connected is because those who are going through a spiritual awakening can experience chakra blockages. The condition is when one or more of the seven chakras in our body become unbalanced or blocked.
The solar plexus chakra could be blocked if there is a lack of inner power and a feeling of helplessness. This can lead to stomach cramps and digestive issues. The throat chakra is most associated with the manifestation of catathrenia because it can be blocked by fear of speaking out and being able to say what we truly mean. If this chakra is blocked, it could manifest as regular throat issues such as laryngitis or tonsilitis.
Heather has suggested to her clients that it’s important to make sure you have communication with your guides so that way you don’t end up yelling for them in the future. She says communication is key as they help us go through our spiritual awakenings and processes.
Potential Psychological Explanations
The catathrenia spiritual meaning might help you feel inspired, but there may also be a psychological explanation as to why you are moaning. According to some psychiatrists, the sounds of catathrenia can be an expression of a psychosocial problem or a psychological disorder. That is why, if you have catathrenia, it is recommended that you consult a psychiatrist.
There are a variety of psychological explanations for someone who is having episodes of catathrenia. Even if you want to believe that a sound in sleep means something spiritual, it’s crucial to understand the psychological causes as well. Here are some potential psychological causes according to psychiatrists:
Depression or Anxiety
One of the leading causes of catathrenia is depression and/or anxiety. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 8.1% of adults have moderate depression or feelings of depression. In addition, 2.8% of Americans have severe depression symptoms.
Both anxiety and depression can lead to lack of sleep, which further increases the incidences of catathrenia. Oftentimes this condition forces people to suppress their depression during the day. Then at night, these repressed emotions come out as sudden sounds in sleep.
Unresolved Emotional Issues
If someone has unresolved issues that they are not able to express verbally, they may end up making sounds in sleep. Such unresolved emotional issues can be related to severe traumas and repressed emotions that someone is not ready to face or discuss yet.
Mental Disorders
According to several studies conducted by psychiatrists, unresolved emotions in those with mental disorders can cause catathrenia. In fact, this condition is also known as “night groaning†because it’s common in those with personality or mental disorders.
If they have an issue that they are unable to express during the day, it comes out in their sleep stage especially during the REM phase when dreaming occurs.
Substance Abuse
If someone is having substance abuse issues, this could lead to chronic episodes where they make sounds in sleep. A study published by the NCBI found that an 11-year-old boy who was abusing ketamine had various sleeping related breathing problems including catathrenia.
The Role of Stress and Suppressed Emotions
Those who do not feel comfortable expressing themselves are more likely to suppress their worries and fears. This is especially true when it comes to communicating with others. In other cases, the individual may attempt to contain or hide their feelings. It is not uncommon for someone to withdraw from a conversation or to turn the topic away from their troubles. This behavior can extend into the dream state.
People may fail to cope with their emotions, particularly stress, before falling asleep at night. While they may attempt to ignore these feelings, it is impossible for them to escape the repercussions of these emotions entirely. Their brain will not “forget” what has been weighing on them. The person’s subconscious mind takes over once they enter the dream cycle.
In general, people are more likely to have nightmares when their mental health is poor. Frequent nightmares and sleep disturbances can lead to a decline in mental health. Those who consistently experience nightmares may find themselves dealing with excessive stress and low self-esteem levels. Children, especially, become more susceptible to these problems if they are having issues in school.
When examining an individual’s mental health, it is crucial to explore what may be causing a significant amount of stress in their life. In today’s society, social media has become a common source of stress. After all, there are people on these platforms who use their account followers as a means of measuring self-worth.
Personal relationships are often a source of stress for many people. Perhaps a friend or family member refuses to support them or they have experienced heartbreak in the past. Even a long-distance relationship can lead to a significant amount of stress.
People are also likely to experience a great deal of stress when it comes to financial matters. There are men and women who are struggling just to make ends meet. They may feel down on themselves for not being able to support their family in the way they always dreamed.
In general, it is more difficult for someone who is feeling a high level of stress from every aspect of their life to shake off feelings of hopelessness and fear.
The individual who tries to contain their feelings and keep them bottled up inside may also experience difficulty when it comes time to release these emotions. The results of keeping everything inside can lead to outbursts or even manifestations like catathrenia during the night-time hours.
People may even find that they struggle with letting go of bad dreams that replay at night, making it even harder for them to find peace and relaxation as they get ready for bed.
Seeking Medical Advice and Guidance
The issue of catathrenia and its severity varies from person to person. While catathrenia might be harmless to some, it can have a negative impact on yours or your partner’s sleep to others. If you believe your catathrenia is impacting your sleep, it is best to consult with a medical professional.
It is common for people to not even be aware they are making this noise in their sleep. It’s helpful to have a partner or someone else who sleeps nearby to tell you if you are actually making the noise, how loudly you are making it, and how frequently. From their perspective, they may be able to spot any patterns that could help you address the condition.
Before going off and seeking treatment on your own, consult with a doctor. They will have you come in for an assessment where they will take your symptoms and a medical history into account. If your catathrenia isn’t too severe, it may not require any treatment at all. If your case is mild, it can sometimes even go away on its own without any intervention at all.
In general, if your catathrenia isn’t causing any issues with your sleeping or if it doesn’t cause you to feel tired during the day, there is generally no need for treatment. However, if the condition is leading to unsatisfactory sleep or other issues, there are treatments available that can help.
Your doctor might be able to recommend some simple lifestyle changes that can help eliminate the moaning noise during sleep. One simple solution can be changing up the positions you regularly sleep in. Catathrenia tends to occur more frequently when sleeping on your back as opposed to sleeping on your stomach or side.
It is best to avoid sleeping in a supine position (on your back), as this generally leads to airway obstruction due to gravity. In some severe cases of the disorder, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines can help prevent the obstruction of airways during sleep. CPAP machines have also been found to help with other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Tips for Managing Catathrenia and Promoting Better Sleep
After discussing this issue with a doctor, they can diagnose and recommend the best ways to manage moaning in sleep. Therapy is another potential course of action. In the meantime, here are a few moaning sleeping remedies that might help you get more quality sleep.
Stay on a Sleep Schedule
Consistency is key to most sleep problems – especially those that are closely associated with physical health conditions. Going to bed and waking up at the same time can help you train your body into a more consistent and restful sleeping pattern.
Sleep on Your Side
Side sleeping is the best solution for catathrenia. While it won’t completely eliminate your symptoms, it does have the most notable impact on reducing the volume and frequency of groaning while you sleep.
You might find it strange to sleep on your side if you’ve always slept on your back or stomach. But over time, it becomes more natural. If you often wake up and find yourself lying on your back, try taping tennis balls onto your pajamas to help prevent rolling over during sleep.
Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep hygiene involves getting regular exercise, avoiding screens and eating healthy. We’ve already mentioned avoiding screens before bed, but there’s more to keeping clean in order to maintain healthy sleep hygiene:
- Take a shower or bath before bed so that you’re not hot when it’s time to fall asleep
- Keep your room cool and dark
- Avoid consuming caffeine in the afternoon and evening
- Avoid consuming alcohol before bed
- Avoid eating too much before bed
Make an Effort to Relax Before Bed
Stress is one of the biggest causes behind lack of sleep. Even if it doesn’t cause catathrenia specifically, it could be one of the reasons why you’re struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep. You might not have control over every cause of stress, but you can make an effort to relax before bed by carving out some time for yourself.
In conclusion, catathrenia, or moaning in sleep, can have various spiritual meanings depending on individual beliefs and cultural interpretations. While some may perceive it as a sign of spiritual awakening or communication with the spiritual realm, others may view it as a manifestation of suppressed emotions or stress. Regardless of the spiritual interpretation, catathrenia itself is not considered harmful or detrimental to one’s well-being. However, if it disrupts your sleep or causes distress, it is recommended to seek medical advice or consult a sleep specialist. Remember, understanding the spiritual significance of catathrenia can provide insights, but it is essential to prioritize your overall sleep health and well-being.
