Position Paper for the Treatment of Nightmare Disorder in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Position Paper.
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine June 15, 2018 Timothy I Morgenthaler, Sanford Auerbach, Kenneth R Casey et al.
Nightmare disorder affects about 4% of adults and can occur alone or with PTSD, impairing quality of life. This American Academy of Sleep Medicine position paper, based on a literature review from March 2009 to August 2017 and expert consensus, provides recommendations for treating nightmare disorder in adults. Image rehearsal therapy is recommended for both PTSD-associated nightmares and nightmare disorder. Many other therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, prazosin, and several medications, may be used. Clonazepam and venlafaxine are not recommended for nightmare disorder. The positions reflect the strength of evidence and clinical judgment, not clinical preference.