Interest in Information about Nightmares in Patients with Sleep Disorders.
Michael Schredl, Lara Dehmlow, Judith Schmitt
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine July 15, 2016 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.5928 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,125 |
| Population | Patients at a sleep center undergoing routine diagnostic procedures for sleep disorders |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Imagery rehearsal therapy Nightmare disorder |
| Key findings | About 20% of patients indicated interest in more information about nightmare etiology and therapy. |
Abstract
Despite the considerable prevalence of the nightmare disorder and its burden on the patient, nightmares are underdiagnosed and undertreated, even in sleep centers. A total of 1,125 patients in a sleep center undergoing routine diagnostic procedures for their sleep disorders completed a questionnaire about nightmares. About 20% of the sample indicated an interest in more information about nightmare etiology and nightmare therapy-even patients who had never sought professional help previously. From a clinical viewpoint, health care professionals should be encouraged to ask about nightmares and, as a first step, internet-based self-help programs should be implemented for this patient group.