Nightmare Disorder (NDO) is estimated to impact at least 4% of the US adult population yet is reported to be much higher among service members (SMs). Our Center has previously reported 31.2% of referred SMs had probable NDO based on screening measures, yet only 3.9% reported nightmares as a reason for evaluation. No quality measures report on the rate of confirmed diagnosis, and more...
Nightmare disorder (NDO) is a significant but often under-recognized condition, especially within the military population. We previously reported that 31.2% of patients referred to our military sleep disorders center have NDO, yet only 3.9% were referred for NDO. Despite the general population’s NDO prevalence (2-8%), our center had no referrals for NDO from June 1 to August 31, 2024. This...
There is currently no consensus on the definition of nightmares. Most participants define nightmares as “bad dreams” with intense, distressing emotions. Per the DSM-5, nightmares are distressing dreams, but to be diagnosed with nightmare disorder, the dreams must awaken the dreamer. Surprisingly, research has not evaluated the characteristics dreamers use to categorize their nightmares....
SleepMay 1, 2025Lefulesele Kholoane, Roberta Jacobs, Nichole Mogharreban et al.
One in ten US Veterans endorse trauma-related nightmares in their lifetime. Imagery rehearsal therapy is an effective and time-efficient therapy which is not widely accessible. We sought to evaluate if a group format could improve access to treatment. This quality improvement project utilized Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology to evaluate impact on access to care by creating a group format for...
The Nightmare Relief (NR) protocol is an embodied experiential approach to treating nightmares. NR incorporates elements of Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) and includes steps that help with emotional and nervous system regulation. The protocol is a five-stage process: Instilling hope and positive expectation; calming and clearing; retelling the dream; finding and embodying helpful dream...
arXiv Preprint ArchiveApril 2, 2025Robin Guillard, Nicolas Dauman, Aurélien Cadix et al.
preprint
(1) Background: Tinnitus is the perception of phantom sound in the absence of a corresponding external source. Previous studies reported that the presence of tinnitus is notably absent during dreams. This study aimed at replicating previous findings regarding tinnitus-free dreams, while also gaining a deeper understanding of tinnitus manifestations during dreams and after awakening. (2)...
Introduction Nightmares have been linked to childhood trauma and an increased risk for mental health problems, such as depression. Meanwhile, there is a high comrobdity of nightmares and insomnia. Yet relatively few studies have compared the clinical presentations of nightmares in different clinical groups. Additionally, considering the close association between childhood trauma, insomnia, and...
Abstract Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a research-supported behavioral intervention shown to reduce the frequency and severity of nightmares. Research also shows IRT reduces negative mental health symptoms, especially those associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. IRT is straightforward for mental health counselors to facilitate, and the steps for implementing it are described along...
Objective: Up to 40% of adults report poor sleep quality, yet research investigating the role of nightmares on sleep quality is limited. This study aimed to characterise the prevalence of disturbing dreams and nightmares and their relationship to poor sleep quality. Method: 439 adults (310 females, Mage=44.9 years) completed an online survey investigating sleep, dreams, nightmares, and mental...
Nightmares are almost an ubiquitous phenomenon but only nightmare disorders would need to be treated. Nightmare disorders result from a variety of causes including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, or idiosyncrasy. Nightmare disorders can be treated by either pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. We performed literature search to explore eighteen possible...