It often occurs alongside other mental illnesses.
One study of 498 people with moderate to severe mental illness found that 70% experienced recurrent nightmares.
Having nightmares does not always mean that you have a mental illness.
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However, you may have a nightmare disorder if you have repeated nightmares that adversely affect your daily functioning.
This article will define nightmare disorder, outline its causes, and provide treatment and coping options.
A person with nightmare disorder has recurring nightmares that affect their daily functioning and cause distress.
Here is how the severity of nightmares is determined:
What Causes Nightmare Disorder?
These include:
Nightmares vs. Night Terrors
Nightmaresare different fromnight terrors.
With nightmares, you fully waken from the dream and immediately orient to your surroundings.
Night terrors, however, come with difficulties fully wakening, being comforted, and remembering the dream.
Diagnosis: Should You See a Provider for Nightmare Disorder?
A mental health provider can bring comfort and coping mechanisms and track treatment progress.
A mental health provider can develop a treatment plan to target co-occurring mental health conditions.
Prevalence of Nightmare Disorder
It is typical for people, especially children, to experience occasional nightmares.
Approximately 4% of adults experience symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria for nightmare disorder.
People of all ages, genders, and experiences can have a nightmare disorder.
If you experience nightmares regularly, there are treatment options that can help.
Seek a mental health professional to determine the right treatment plan and learn helpful coping strategies.
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