Recurring Nightmares – How You Can Stop Them

Everyone dreams and once in a while every one of us has had disturbing dreams, but many people do not remember their dreams when they wake up and say they never dream. While to other people they are like an event they have witnessed through open eyes. Their dreams are very dramatic and terrifying. These dreams are actually nightmares that are associated with strong emotions such as anxiety, fear and distress. Nightmares often involve dreams of being trapped, being chased or being faced with sudden disaster. Some people experience recurring nightmares—where they dream same creepy thing over and over again.

Read Also: 7 Most Amazing Facts about Dreams

What Causes Recurring Nightmares?

Nightmare tend to occur in the REM (rapid eye moment) phase. If you or anyone in your family is having the problem of recurring nightmare, instead of ignoring you should take it seriously and sought any help with the problem. And if your problem is more than a simple nightmare–involves night terrors or sleepwalking that continues into adulthood, you have to inquire if there is an underlying problem. Major catastrophic events, stress and alcohol can all bring on even worsen nightmares. There may be some psychological disturbance or suppressed long standing problem underlying recurring nightmares and this would need expert professional help to discover.

How to Prevent Recurring Nightmares?

• If your nightmares are a result of an underlying condition such as restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, receiving treatment might help to alleviate these conditions and lesson nightmares. Patients having PTST, panic disorders or anxiety issue are often prescribed a drug known as Prazosin; it can help alleviate nightmares. Consult with your doctor to figure out the right treatment option to improve your condition.

  

• It is generally advised that you should not eat something just before going to bed. Food speeds up your metabolism process and thus your brain remain more active during sleep and produces nightmares. So cut off your bedtime snacks, especially those that contain lot of sugar if you have a problem of rerunning nightmare.
• Stress may also contribute to nightmares, so avoid arguments or watching anything on television that causes stress, instead take some time to relax, listen some light music, enjoy a hot bath and aim to go to be with a calm and clear mind.
• If you are taking some medication discuss with your doctor. Certain medication like anti-depressants and a few blood pressure medications increase the likelihood of nightmares. Speak to your doctor if you feel certain medication might be the issue and switching to a different drug might help you with your problem.
• Try imagery rehearsal treatment. It is a type of cognitive therapy proved effective in subsiding rerunning nightmares in insomnia and PTSD patients. The therapy involves encouraging a patient to imagine a different outcome of the nightmare or a different ending—one which is satisfying and pleasing while the patient recalls his dream in the morning. Sometimes patients do it orally, other times they are asked to draw or paint or write down a pleasant ending to their nightmares.