Nightmare Frequency, Nightmare Distress and the Efficiency of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Archives of Trauma Research May 12, 2016 Katia Levrier, A. Marchand, G. Belleville et al.
Up to 71% of trauma victims with PTSD experience frequent nightmares, versus 2–5% of the general population. In 71 individuals with PTSD receiving 20 weekly sessions of cognitive behavior therapy, the presence of nightmares did not reduce the therapy's overall effectiveness. Specific CBT components did reduce nightmare frequency and distress. After treatment, most participants no longer met PTSD criteria, though some still had nightmares.