Nightmare disorder is referred to by doctors as a parasomnia — a type of sleep disorder that involves undesirable experiences that occur while you’re falling asleep, during sleep or when you’re waking up.
Nightmares usually occur during the stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The exact cause of nightmares is not known.
Nightmares referred to repeated awakenings from the major sleep periods or naps with detailed recall of extended or extremely frightening dreams.
These events usually involve threats to survival, security or self-esteem.
Most nightmares are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, but can be related to other processes.
Nightmares have a profound negative effect on sleep, mental health, physical health, and quality of life.
Commonly reported among individuals to suffer from depression and who are at risk for suicide ideation.
Usually rise during REM sleep and disturbed REM sleep may facilitate the frequency of nightmares.
Nightmares can contribute to alcohol and substance abuse, suicidal ideation and even completed suicide rates.
Poor REM sleep in recurring nightmares may be correlated with suicidal behavior among people who are diagnosed with depression.
Trauma related nightmares in PTSD are more severe than non-trauma related nightmares in relation to frequency and with more frequent awakenings and worse sleeping habits.
Prazosin a lipid soluble Alpha one-adrenergic receptor antagonist that crosses the blood brain barrier and decreases sympathetic outflow of the brain, is recommended for treatment of PTSD associated nightmares.
Nightmares can be triggered by many factors, including:
Stress or anxiety.
Sometimes the ordinary stresses of daily life, such as a problem at home or school, trigger nightmares.
A major change, such as a move or the death of a loved one, can have the same effect.
Experiencing anxiety is associated with a greater risk of nightmares.
Trauma. Nightmares are common after an accident, injury, physical or sexual abuse, or other traumatic event.
Nightmares are common in people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sleep deprivation. Changes in your schedule that cause irregular sleeping and waking times or that interrupt or reduce the amount of sleep you get can increase your risk of having nightmares.
Insomnia is associated with an increased risk of nightmares.
Medications. Some drugs — including certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, beta blockers, and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease or to help stop smoking — can trigger nightmares.
Substance misuse. Alcohol and recreational drug use or withdrawal can trigger nightmares.
Other disorders. Depression and other mental health disorders may be linked to nightmares.
Nightmares can happen along with some medical conditions, such as heart disease or cancer.
Having other sleep disorders that interfere with adequate sleep can be associated with having nightmares.
Scary books and movies. For some people, reading scary books or watching frightening movies, especially before bed, can be associated with nightmares.
Risk factors
Nightmares are more common when family members have a history of nightmares or other sleep parasomnias, such as talking during sleep.
Complications
Nightmare disorder may cause:
Excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to difficulties at school or work, or problems with everyday tasks, such as driving and concentrating
Problems with mood, such as depression or anxiety from dreams that continue to bother you
Resistance to going to bed or to sleep for fear you’ll have another bad dream
Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.