Dreaming in posttraumatic stress disorder: A critical review of phenomenology, psychophysiology and treatment.
Lutz Wittmann, Michael Schredl, Milton Kramer
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2007 DOI: 10.1159/000096362 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Imagery Rehearsal Therapy |
| Topics | Dreaming Philosophy of mind PTSD |
| Key findings | Posttraumatic nightmares are reported by up to 70% of individuals with PTSD, and about 50% of posttraumatic dreams exactly replicate the traumatic event. |
Abstract
This review summarizes the available knowledge on the phenomenology of posttraumatic dreams. Posttraumatic nightmares are reported by up to 70% of individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An extensive review of polysomnographic studies suggests that neither this high incidence nor the occurrence of posttraumatic nightmares throughout the sleep cycle can be explained by altered REM sleep parameters. The assumption that a reduction of dream recall may serve as a coping mechanism in PTSD patients is questionable. About 50% of posttraumatic dreams comprise exact replications of the traumatic events. Therefore dreams in PTSD do not have stereotypical content. Data characterizing non-replicative posttraumatic dreams and indicating a change in dream content over time must be considered preliminary. Occurrence of posttraumatic dreams is associated with psychopathological developments. Imagery Rehearsal Therapy has repeatedly been proven to be a valuable tool in treating patients suffering from posttraumatic dream disturbance. A deeper knowledge of posttraumatic dreams is essential for any theory of PTSD as well as for a better understanding of the overall function of dreaming.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World. | 2020 | Review | |
| Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD | 2020 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms? | 2018 | Review | |
| Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. | 2016 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 53
- Aetiology and treatment of nightmare disorder: State of the art and future perspectives Journal of Sleep Research January 29, 2019
- A cognitive model of recurrent nightmares heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 2008
- Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder Journal of Clinical Psychology September 23, 2010
- Dreaming: a psychological view Schweizer Archiv Fur Neurologie Und Psychiatrie December 7, 2005
- Seeking professional help for nightmares: a representative study The European Journal of Psychiatry December 1, 2013
and 48 more in the library
Cites 16
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- Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Dreaming December 1, 2004
- Perinatal loss, trauma, and dream reports. Psychological Reports June 1, 2004
- Imagery rehearsal in the treatment of posttraumatic nightmares in Australian veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD: 12-month follow-up data. Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2003
and 11 more in the library