Types of Nightmares Veterans May Experience
September 09, 2022
People may know nightmares by the technical name parasomnia. Parasomnia includes sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and nightmares. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 60% of veterans suffer from trauma-related nightmares, and 31% suffer from nightmares.
Nightmares occur during the resting, waking, or falling asleep state. Although there are several periods when nightmares may occur, they often happen during the REM (rapid eye movement) cycle that also involves faster breathing, increased heart rate, and brain activity.
According to recent studies, nightmares are caused by medications, lack of sleep, substance use, trauma, and other disorders. Nightmare science is in its early stages of exploration, but findings have shown that nightmares tend to appear in people who suffer from depression, stress, and anxiety. That said, three types of nightmares have been identified, along with possible actions the dreamer may take to reduce or stop them.
What Are The Three Types of Nightmares
The three types of nightmares are idiopathic, recurrent, and post-traumatic.
- Idiopathic Nightmares – are dream sequences that are not the result of trauma but often happen when a person is very stressed. People experiencing idiopathic nightmares may struggle with psychotic disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression. Due to stress, the individual may be emotionally unstable, resulting in the inability to fall asleep, and then once they do, they wake during their REM cycle.
- Recurrent Nightmares – repeat frequently and manifest during times of high stress. They may also indicate that the dreamer is dealing with a conflict they cannot or will not resolve.
- Post-Traumatic Nightmares – these nightmares vividly recreate a traumatic moment. They are prevalent in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These nightmares may cause severe panic, anxiety, or depression episodes. Another difficulty with these nightmares is that the sufferer has trouble falling and staying asleep. Many PTSD nightmare sufferers self-medicate to cope. However, this exacerbates the problem.
Although there are various ways to alleviate bad dreams and nightmares, the process is highly individualized. What may work for one person with PTSD may not work for another.
Most often, the current line of thought is to engage in calming self-care treatments, which can include psychotherapy, mindfulness, and exercise. It is also recommended that the person experiencing the nightmares refrain from using substances to zone out and escape reality. Meditation and breathing exercises can also work for individuals who suffer from inconsistent sleep. If the nightmares get out of hand, it’s best to seek professional assistance. Sleep is vital to a fully functional, alert brain.