Ask Joy: NIGHTMARES — When it’s more than just a nightmare.
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Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by retired psychologist/ member @Joy Straw.
Recently, I was asked for advice about nightmares. A person described violent, disturbing and repetitive dreams/nightmares. Resulting in constant terror on waking in a drenched bed. This left the person with a sense of dread after the dream had passed. At this point, and after multiple bad nights, it is recommended that the person seek professional help—first at a GP, then a psychologist/psychiatrist because there is more to the story.
Often, nightmares/night terrors/bad dreams can be put down to a stressful day or a late-night snack. Particularly in children, there can be an underlying fear that needs to be addressed. Sometimes, that’s as simple as talking about it with someone close (e.g. being scared of the dark or of trees brushing against windows). However, at other times, our bad dreams can be more than they seem ( e.g. a child is being bullied, there is a fear of death or separation).
Nightmares can also be the result of depression or anxiety as well as trauma.
Common nightmare causes
In the case above, the person revealed a traumatic incident before the nightmares began. It was particularly violent and prolonged, and no positive resolution was achieved. The person was left fearful, traumatised, and feeling abandoned by the judicial system. This then appears to have resulted in ongoing nightmares. Again, it is strongly recommended that the person seek professional help. However, we can see that sometimes our nightmares are more than just bad dreams. The resulting trauma suffered by the person may have resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD), without a meeting with them, a diagnosis is not able to be confirmed.
PTSD requires a medical diagnosis.
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This article was kindly written for the SDC by retired psychologist/ member @Joy Straw.
Recently, I was asked for advice about nightmares. A person described violent, disturbing and repetitive dreams/nightmares. Resulting in constant terror on waking in a drenched bed. This left the person with a sense of dread after the dream had passed. At this point, and after multiple bad nights, it is recommended that the person seek professional help—first at a GP, then a psychologist/psychiatrist because there is more to the story.
Often, nightmares/night terrors/bad dreams can be put down to a stressful day or a late-night snack. Particularly in children, there can be an underlying fear that needs to be addressed. Sometimes, that’s as simple as talking about it with someone close (e.g. being scared of the dark or of trees brushing against windows). However, at other times, our bad dreams can be more than they seem ( e.g. a child is being bullied, there is a fear of death or separation).
Nightmares can also be the result of depression or anxiety as well as trauma.
Common nightmare causes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Sleep deprivation
- Substance misuse
- Scary books or movies
- Other diagnoses
Do you struggle with nightmares? Image Credit: Shutterstock
In the case above, the person revealed a traumatic incident before the nightmares began. It was particularly violent and prolonged, and no positive resolution was achieved. The person was left fearful, traumatised, and feeling abandoned by the judicial system. This then appears to have resulted in ongoing nightmares. Again, it is strongly recommended that the person seek professional help. However, we can see that sometimes our nightmares are more than just bad dreams. The resulting trauma suffered by the person may have resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD), without a meeting with them, a diagnosis is not able to be confirmed.
PTSD requires a medical diagnosis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.
Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper
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