You wake up, terrified, from a sound sleep. You fell from a great height, you got swept up in a tidal wave, or you are running for your life. If any of this sounds familiar, join the club. Research suggests that more than 85 percent of adults occasionally experience nightmares — at least once a month for 8 to 29 percent, and once a week for 2 to 6 percent. If you have never experienced a nightmare, understand that this is no ordinary dream. They are disturbing dreams that cause the dreamer to wake suddenly in a terrified state.
Why do we have nightmares? Nightmares in adults are often spontaneous. But they can also be caused by a variety of factors or underlying disorders.
Sleep deprivation may contribute to adult nightmares, which themselves often cause people to lose additional sleep. A recurring cycle can be created between lack of sleep and nightmares. Some adult nightmares can be caused by sleep disorders. Including sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
Others have nightmares after having a late-night snack, which can increase metabolism and signal the brain to be more active. Some medications are also known to contribute to nightmare frequency. Withdrawal from medications and substances, including alcohol and tranquilizers, may trigger nightmares. There can be a number of psychological triggers that cause nightmares in adults. For example, anxiety and depression can cause adult nightmares. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also commonly causes people to experience chronic, recurrent nightmares.
Understanding the cause of nightmares is the first step in solving the issue. Whether occasional, or weekly, if you experience nightmares talk to your doctor about possible causes and understand what treatments might be available.
Sleep Insights 