Management of post-traumatic nightmares: a review of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments since 2010.
Monica Escamilla, Mercedes LaVoy, Bret A Moore, Barry Krakow
Current Psychiatry Reports October 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-012-0306-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Key findings | Prazosin shows robust clinical effects with minimal side effects for post-traumatic nightmares, and imagery rehearsal therapy has established efficacy in the nightmare literature. |
Abstract
Nightmares are a universal and timeless phenomenon. They occur in most healthy adults as well as a significant portion of clinical populations, especially those exposed to trauma. Considerable advances in the pharmacological and psychological treatment of post-traumatic nightmares have occurred over the last decade with continuing advances in psychological interventions over the last few years. Pharmacologically, the medication prazosin is showing robust clinical effects with minimal side effects. Psychologically, imagery rehearsal therapy commands the greater portion of the nightmare literature due to its established efficacy. These issues are reviewed in the following paper along with recommendations for future studies.