Sleep disorders
Recurrent nightmares
When nightmares recur and start to define your relationship with the night, there are targeted protocols with a very good response rate.
What it is
A nightmare differs from a night terror: it happens in REM sleep, in the second half of the night, it causes full awakening, and the content is recalled in detail.
Occasional nightmares are normal. They become a clinical issue when they recur and lead to avoiding sleep — at which point insomnia is added on top.
They are linked to traumatic experience, to intense stress, to certain medications, and to the abrupt withdrawal of substances that suppress REM sleep.
How it shows up
- Recurrent distressing dreams recalled in detail
- Waking with palpitations, sweating, fear
- Avoiding or postponing sleep
- Episodes mainly in the second half of the night
- An effect on daytime mood and functioning
How it is treated
- 01
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy: the script of the recurring nightmare is rewritten while awake and rehearsed daily.
- 02
Arousal-reduction techniques before bed, to lower night-time activation.
- 03
Treating in parallel the insomnia that has developed as sleep avoidance.
- 04
Where there is a traumatic background, the work is coordinated with the overall treatment plan.
Let's find out whether this is what is happening to you.