Explore what nightmares mean and their effects on sleep and mood.
Experts discuss three types of nightmares and their psychological impact.
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Lets be honest: In many ways, the past few years have felt like a waking nightmare.
(Parasomnia is an umbrella term forsleep-disturbance disordersincluding nightmares,sleepwalking, andsleep paralysis.)
When those dreams show up as nightmares, they can take a few different forms.
neuropsychologist and founder of the Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness (CNC), in Miami, Florida
3 types of nightmares and their effects on sleep quality
1.
Idiopathic nightmares
Idiopathic nightmares are anyimaginative dream sequencesthat arenotthe result of trauma.
(Theyre the most commontype of disturbed dreaming.)
Idiopathic nightmares typically occur when a person is highly stressed, says Dr. Phillips.
Dr. Phillips says that idiopathic nightmares can lead to emotional irritability during the day.
Recurrent nightmares
As the name implies, recurrent nightmares are nightmares that repeat on a semi-frequent basis.
Any kind ofrecurring dreamsmay be common intimes of unmanaged stressand may reflect ongoing conflicts you cant or wont resolve.
Recurrent nightmares can also cause irritability due to lack of sleep, says Dr. Phillips.
Fortunately, researchers are beginning to developtreatment options for folks whose past is showing up in their dreams.
neuropsychologist and founder of the Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness (CNC), in Miami, Florida
If this sounds like you, its a good idea to seek care from a mental health practitioner.
What do the most common nightmares mean?
The way to know whether an interpretation is accurate is to feel out how it impacts you.
In other words, the accuracy of an interpretation relies on its productivity foryou.
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This often represents feelings of anxiety, pressure, or avoidance, says Dr. Chan.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Nightmares Mean
Who gets nightmares?
What are nightmares trying to tell you?
Nightmares are often trying to convey underlying emotions, fears, or unresolved issues, says Dr. Chan.
Can nightmares be a warning?
Yes, nightmares can be a warning about a particular issue in your life.
Can nightmares predict the future?
What is the difference between a nightmare and a night terror?
Thought they sound similar,nightmares and night terrors are entirely different things.
How do I stop having nightmares?
By implementing these habits and lifestyle changes,good dreamsare just on the horizon.
Have trouble falling back to sleep after a terrible dream?
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