Dream Anxiety Disorder

Dream anxiety disorder, commonly known as nightmare disorder, is characterized by frequent distressing nightmares from which a person wakens completely. Dream anxiety disorder is rare, but it can be very impairing.

Background

• Nightmares are dreams that involve extreme fear. Usually the dream includes a danger to the dreamer's life or safety. Waking typically occurs at the climax of the threat, and it can be difficult to fall back asleep.

Symptoms

• Dream anxiety disorder sufferers wake completely from their nightmares, in contrast to people with sleep terror disorder, who awaken with confusion and disorientation. Symptoms of fear such as increased heart rate and sweating are often present after waking.

Causes

• The causes of dream anxiety disorder are not known. Adults who regularly have nightmares are rare, and many of these people are affected by psychiatric disorders. Nightmares caused by psychiatric disorders or chemical abuse are not part of dream anxiety disorder.

Effects

• The interrupted sleep often causes mild sleep deprivation, which can lead to decreased mental clarity, difficulty concentrating, irritability and mild depression.

Treatment

• Dream anxiety disorder can be treated with counseling to address the underlying themes of nightmares. Stress reduction techniques can also be helpful.