Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Nightmares affect 8% of the general population and are among the most common symptoms in traumatized individuals, carrying strong predictive and prognostic value for post-traumatic disorders. Sleep disturbances, especially nightmares, can be highly distressing and require targeted interventions, particularly when linked to PTSD. Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is currently the best empirically supported technique for treating traumatic sleep disturbances. This review outlines the incidence and consequences of nightmares in PTSD, explains how IRT can be useful in their treatment, and examines its clinical applications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Besides affecting 8% of the general population, nightmares are one of the most frequent symptoms of traumatized individuals. This can be a significant factor in the treatment of post-traumatic disorders; indeed, several studies demonstrated its strong predictive and prognostic value. Sleep disorders, nightmares in particular, could be very distressing for individuals and need targeted interventions, especially if they are associated with a PTSD diagnosis. To date, the best technique for the treatment of traumatic sleep disturbances seems to be Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), an empirically supported method. Through a review of the literature on this matter, this article aims to outline the incidence and consequences of nightmares in PTSD, illustrate how IRT could prove useful in their treatment, and investigate its clinical applications.