Do you want to know the meaning of dream anxiety disorder? The causes, symptoms, and treatments?...
Do you want to know the meaning of dream anxiety disorder?
The causes, symptoms, and treatments?
Have you ever had trouble sleeping at night?
Do you experience frequent disturbing dreams when you sleep?
If you are, you may be living with a form of anxiety called " dream anxiety disorder or nightmare disorder"'.
Dream anxiety disorder, also called nightmare disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive or inappropriate fear of miseries.
Nightmare disorder is a distressing pattern of repeated dysphoric and vivid dreams.
The theme of the disorder tends to consist of threats to survival, security, and physical well-being (Kamron A, 2021).
The third edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) has classified dream anxiety disorder as a parasomnia usually associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
This disorder affects about 4% of adults, as a part of other disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and can significantly degrade the quality of life.
This mental health condition is characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep continuity or poor sleep quality.
A person with a dream anxiety disorder may experience intense feelings of fear or distress during the day because they have had a nightmare the night before.
They may also avoid going to sleep because they are afraid of having monsters and becoming anxious when they wake up.
There are different causes of dream anxiety disorders. However, scientists have classified the major causes into medical conditions, psychological conditions, and other factors (Bibek, 2021).
These causes can include
These causes can include
These causes include
How do you know if you have dream anxiety? A study conducted in 2008 also indicated that the condition might be associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The symptoms can be generally brief, but they can cause you to be awake, and returning to sleep might be difficult.
Common symptoms include:
An occasional dream anxiety disorder does not require treatment. However, doctors can treat chronic nightmare disorder in several ways to constrain the frequent occurrences of disturbing dreams. Two major approaches employed to treat this illness are the behavioral and pharmacological approaches.
Some of the techniques employed under this section to treat nightmares include:
Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)
IRT is a form of modified cognitive-behavioral therapy technique that involves altering the content of a disturbing sleep by creating a new set of positive images. The approach is based on the belief that rewriting the imagery during the day will help influence the dreams at night.
The CBT technique is used to modify a person's dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The goal is to adapt your mindset and behavior by treating your distorted feelings or thoughts.Other behavioral techniques include lucid dreaming, sleep dynamic therapy and self-exposure therapy.
To pharmacologically treat nightmare or dream anxiety disorder, the America Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends the following medications:
Any of the following can be prescribed for the treatment of PSTD-associated nightmares.
You can find detailed information on the drugs mentioned above here.
Dream anxiety disorder is a form of sleep disorder often caused by PTSD.
The disorder is classified by DMS-5 into frequency and severity and can be treated with various techniques and medications.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
Ignoring anxiety can exacerbate symptoms and make it more challenging to manage over time. This can result in a negative impact on your personal, professional, and social life, leading to feelings of isolation and even depression.
The duration of anxiety counseling varies for each individual, depending on the severity of their anxiety and their progress in therapy. Our therapists will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Addressing anxiety is crucial because it can significantly impact your quality of life and overall well-being. Left untreated, anxiety can lead to more severe mental health issues, relationship problems, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
Medication is often prescribed for anxiety due to the fact that it works quickly to ease symptoms of distress or panic attacks in some cases. However, this should always be discussed with your doctor so they can provide guidance on what's right for you and the type of medication best suited for your needs.
To reduce your anxiety, you can practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness practices. Additionally, regular exercise has been found to be beneficial in managing stress and improving mental health.
Other activities which have been found helpful in reducing both immediate feelings of anxiousness and long-term anxieties associated with chronic disorders include yoga, journaling, nature walks, art therapy, volunteering, and other low-stress activities. Additionally, developing a healthy lifestyle incorporating adequate sleep, physical activity, and nutritious meals can help reduce overall stress levels.
