News

Treating nightmare disorder in adults

Jun 25 2018...

While nightmares occur frequently in children, they can be a problem for adults too. It’s common to have nightmares every once in a while, but if you suffer from nightmare disorder, you may have repeated occurrences of nightmares that cause distress or impairment. READ MORE>>

An emotional link between nightmares and suicide

Mar 28 2016...

A new study shows that negative emotions may be one link between nightmares and suicidal thoughts. The study involved 91 people who had been through a traumatic event. They also had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were much more common among those who had nightmares in the past month. READ MORE>>

Depression and insomnia are linked to frequent nightmares

Apr 09 2015...

A new study suggests that depression and insomnia are the strongest risk factors for having frequent nightmares.

The study involved 13,922 adults. They ranged in age from 25 to 74 years. All of the study subjects answered a series of questions about their health. READ MORE>>

What we can learn from 9/11 about dreams and nightmares

Sep 11 2013...

The disturbing images of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, N.Y., were like a waking nightmare. But did the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, affect how we dream? And can we learn anything about the role of dreaming from our response to these events?

Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine and Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Boston, Mass., sought to answer these questions. The study by Dr. Ernest Hartmann and Tyler Brezler was published in the journal Sleep in 2008. READ MORE>>

Book Review: A Dream Box for child nightmares

Apr 29 2013...

A noted branding and creativity strategist, Robin Landa has written more than a dozen books about graphic design and advertising. Her latest work, the children’s picture book The Dream Box, ventures into new territory. The Kindle e-book focuses on Alex, a young bird with some crazy dreams. Ninja frogs. Triple-eyed toads. Giant pancakes. He’s practically scared out of his feathers. Alex decides he has only one way to fight back: He’s never going to sleep again. It’s a tough task for the bleary-eyed bird. He receives some trite advice from well-meaning family members. But Alex knows that it doesn’t help to think “nice things” and “happy thoughts.” He needs a real solution. That’s when he finds a curious little box on his bed. A note with the box helps Alex kick his uninvited guests out of his dreams. READ MORE>>

Children, Media Violence & Nightmares

Nov 01 2009...

The AAP reports that the average young person will have viewed an estimated 200,000 acts of violence on TV by the age of 18 years. That doesn’t include exposure to violence in movies, music and video games. READ MORE>>

Treating nightmares in children with imagery rehearsal therapy

Jun 03 2009...

Imagery rehearsal therapy is an effective way to treat adults with nightmare disorder. A new study from Canada shows that it also can be helpful for children. READ MORE>>

Hypnosis may help people with parasomnias such as nightmares, sleepwalking

Aug 28 2007...

A long-term study shows that hypnosis may be an effective treatment option for people with certain parasomnias. The study indicates that hypnosis may be most effective at treating nightmares and sleepwalking. People with sleep terrors may be less likely to improve after hypnotic treatment. READ MORE>>

Afraid and confused: understanding childhood parasomnias

Jul 10 2007...

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that involve undesirable events and experiences. They occur during sleep, as you fall asleep or as you wake up. These sleep-related behaviors are very common in children and for the most part are a normal part of childhood. READ MORE>>