Nightmare Disorder

About Nightmare Disorder

Nightmare disorder involves repeated occurrences of extended, extremely dysphoric and well remembered dreams that usually involve efforts to avoid threats to survival, security or physical integrity. On waking from these dreams, the person rapidly becomes oriented and alert, which distinguishes nightmares from sleep terrors. Nightmares typically occur during REM sleep, more often in the second half of the night. Occasional nightmares are common, especially in children, but the disorder applies when they cause significant distress or impairment, such as fear of going to sleep, daytime fatigue or mood problems. Nightmares are closely associated with PTSD, where they may replay traumatic events, and also occur with anxiety, depression and some medications or substance withdrawal. Psychological treatments have good evidence, particularly imagery rehearsal therapy, in which a person works with a therapist to change the storyline of a recurring nightmare, as well as cognitive behavioral approaches, and medication is sometimes considered for trauma related nightmares.