Why humans dream remains one of behavioral science's great unanswered questions. Dreams have a purpose but it may not be to send us messages about self-improvement or the future, as many believe. Instead, many researchers now believe that dreaming mediates memory consolidation and mood regulation , a process a little like overnight therapy . But it's not a benefit all share equally: People who are sleep deprived also tend to be dream deprived, spending less time dreaming and perhaps not remember
Why We Have Nightmares
Nightmares can create feelings of terror, anxiety , or despair, and lead to psychological distress or sleep problems like insomnia . Research has identified a range of causes for nightmares, including post- traumatic stress , anxiety—especially the presence of generalized anxiety disorder, dissociation, and physiological changes.
“Re-experiencing” is a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as flashbacks. These involuntary recollections often manifest in the form of nightmares that can cause significant emotional distress. Even when the dreams are not exact replays of a trauma, they may have a strong symbolic or indirect connection to the event.
Terrifying dreams that rouse people from sleep plague children more often than adults , and nightmares can be especially vivid for young children because they may have a harder time separating fantasy from reality. But at least half of grownups also have occasional nightmares, although fewer than 10 percent report frequent or recurring episodes.
Experts recommend that individuals experiencing nightmares tied to stress try to focus on positive elements of their day immediately before bed; catch themselves when they feel themselves ruminating or catastrophizing ; and train themselves not to dwell on disturbing images from nightmares. For nightmares tied to PTSD , visualization treatments in which patients replay traumatic memories in “safe” ways have shown potential to bring relief.
Explore More About Dreaming
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