Quick Summary
- Sometimes, we laugh it off, but other times, these dreams can be more disruptive and disturbing as they force us to relive past traumatic emotions and episodes.
- Dreaming and analyzing those dreams has intrigued mankind for hundreds of years.
- But for some, nightmares pose a serious issue that may prevent them from getting the much-needed sleep.
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It is common to have restless sleep due to nightmares now and then. Sometimes, we laugh it off, but other times, these dreams can be more disruptive and disturbing as they force us to relive past traumatic emotions and episodes. Dreaming and analyzing those dreams has intrigued mankind for hundreds of years. But for some, nightmares pose a serious issue that may prevent them from getting the much-needed sleep. Sometimes, they are also an indicator of an underlying emotional problem that may not be easy to confront.
Regardless of the cause, nightmares can be terrifying, especially when they make us feel out of control. But the good news is that there are certain steps that we can take in our waking hours to reframe our thoughts and put a stop to them for good. Why do nightmares occur? Can they be prevented? How to stop having nightmares for a more restful sleep? Learn about all these queries in this article below.
FAQs
Are nightmares normal?
Nightmares tend to occur more frequently in children than adults. They are the most prevalent between the ages of 3 to 6, and their frequency gradually reduces as the child grows up. Sometimes, nightmares persist even when the child enters adolescence and adulthood. They affect men and women both; however, the latter are more likely to experience them. It’s entirely normal for children and adults to experience bad dreams or nightmares now and then. But, when these scary dreams become more common and start affecting day-to-day life, it may indicate an underlying issue called nightmare disorder.
Are my nightmares connected to my waking activity?
Nightmares sometimes have a clear association with the things you do or happen while you awake. Sometimes, they are tied to stress or anxiety, especially PTSD, a psychiatric disorder involving flashbacks or imagery linking to a traumatic event. However, not all nightmares will have an easily recognisable relationship to a particular waking activity. Sometimes, they are just a collection of random bizarre or bewildering content that is difficult to trace to a specific life circumstance.
What is the difference between nightmares and sleep terrors?
Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are episodes of agitation and fright during sleep. They are different from nightmares as they tend to occur in a non-REM stage and frequently happen during the first half of sleep. Nightmares, on the other hand, appear in the second half of sleep during the REM stage. Another characteristic that distinguishes both is that a person can easily recall the memory of a nightmare the following morning, while people with night terrors rarely recollect the episode.
Can nightmares affect my sleep?
Nightmares, especially recurrent ones, can significantly alter a person’s sleeping habits. People with a diagnosed nightmare disorder are more likely to develop quality and quantity of sleep issues. This disturbance in sleep can occur in multiple ways. For example, people with nightmares may wake up feeling anxious and have difficulty going back to sleep. Sometimes, the fear of having a frightening nightmare may prevent them from going to sleep in the first place. This avoidance of sleep can often lead to a rebound effect that makes dreams more intense. As a result, a vicious cycle sets in with an increasing number of nightmares and progressively worsening sleep habits. Nightmares can sometimes cause a worsening of specific mental health conditions, which worsens sleep or reduces quantity.
Is it possible to prevent nightmares?
While there is no surefire recipe to avoid nightmares, certain tips and therapies can work. In children, encouraging positive thoughts before bedtime and establishing a bedtime routine can help. Adults usually experience fewer nightmares if they maintain a regular eating schedule, get enough sleep and limit their exposure to frightening media. Sometimes, a nightmare disorder occurs secondary to a mental health illness such as posttraumatic stress disorder or generalised anxiety. In such cases, seeking therapy and medication to manage these mental illnesses may help. Some therapists recommend practising relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, to calm the mind and reduce the risk. Lastly, some people attempt to use the lucid dreaming technique where they are conscious of when they are dreaming and can control the content of their dream to avoid a nightmare.
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