Disorder 8: Nightmares and Nightmare Disorder
Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that can cause feelings of fear, anxiety, or distress during sleep. While occasional nightmares are common and experienced by most people at some point in their lives, Nightmare Disorder, also known as dream anxiety disorder, is a more severe sleep disorder characterized by recurrent, highly distressing nightmares that significantly disrupt sleep quality and daytime functioning.
Nightmare Disorder affects approximately 2-8% of adults and is more prevalent among children and adolescents. The exact cause of Nightmare Disorder is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, stress, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. Certain medications and substance use may also contribute to the development or exacerbation of nightmares.
Treatment for Nightmare Disorder often focuses on addressing the underlying factors contributing to the disorder, such as stress management, psychotherapy, or adjusting medications if necessary. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, has been shown to be effective in helping individuals change their thought patterns and behaviors related to nightmares.
In addition to CBT, other therapeutic approaches, such as imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), may be beneficial for those experiencing nightmares related to trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or alpha-blockers may be prescribed to help reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. (8)
