Nightmares are classified as a sleep disorder characterized by repeated, distressing dreams. In some cases, clients awaken from the dreams but not always. The important DSM-V criteria specific for Nightmare Disorder is that causes impairment during the day either from the dream itself or from the poor sleep quality sequel a to the dream. Clients with Nightmare Disorder often complain of anxiety, depression and irritability. This is significant as clients rarely enter treatment complaining of nightmares. Only after a thorough mental exam will this symptom emerge. Effectively treating nightmares will often decrease other psychiatric symptoms.
What is the difference between nightmares and PTSD? In Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the nightmares are themed around a traumatic event and are often a reenactment of the event itself. In Nightmare Disorder there is no specific tie to any trauma.
Treatment for Nightmare Disorder can be very simple and include prescriptions like SSIRs, Sodium Channel Modulators or antihypertensives but it depends on the complexity of client’s symptoms and other medical factors that might present during the exam and must be ruled out. Medical issues that might cause nightmares include sleep apnea, alcohol abuse, certain medications and heart disease. Medications often are not the simple answer to total wellbeing and the client will likely be encouraged to actively participate in therapy as well. Common therapeutic approaches to Nightmare Disorder include Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) where the therapist works with the client to change the nightmare and learn to rehearse a new dream during the day.
If you are struggling with nightmares call Psych Associates today! Phone: (417) 414-0333
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders: DSM-5. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) (n. d.). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Retrieved from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd.shtml
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Synopsis of psychiatry (11th ed.). London,
England: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.