Cause of nightmares

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People of all ages experience nightmares. However, nightmares are more common in children and especially those under the age of 10. Girls are more likely to have trouble with their nightmares than boys. The following article will show the causes of nightmares and how to overcome nightmares.

1. What is a nightmare?

Nightmares are scary and disturbing dreams. The theme of nightmares varies widely from person to person, but common themes include being chased, falling, or feeling lost or trapped. Nightmares can make you feel a variety of emotions, including:
Anger Guilt Fear Fear Anxiety You may continue to experience these emotions even after you wake up.
Nightmares appear to be part of normal development and, except in the case of post-traumatic stress disorder, they are not usually a symptom of any underlying medical condition or disorder what mental.
However, nightmares can become a problem if they persist and disrupt sleep. This can lead to insomnia and difficulty functioning during the day. Consult your doctor if you are having trouble dealing with nightmares..

2. Symptoms of having nightmares

You will be more likely to have nightmares in the second half of the night. Nightmares may occur rarely or more often, even several times during the night. Episodes are generally brief, but they keep you awake and make it hard to fall back asleep.
A nightmare may involve features such as the following:
Your dreams seem vivid and real and very unpleasant, often becoming more disturbing as the dream unfolds. The plot of your dreams usually involves threats to safety or survival, but it can have other disturbing themes. Your dream will wake you up. You feel fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, or disgust as a result of your dream itself. You feel sweaty or your heart pounding while you're in bed. You can think clearly when you wake up and can recall all the details of your dream. Your dream leads to suffering that prevents you from falling back to sleep easily. A nightmare is considered a disorder only if you experience:
Frequent occurrences Severe distress or impairment during the day such as persistent anxiety or fear, or bedtime anxiety about experiencing another nightmare Problems with concentration or memory, or you can't stop thinking about the images in your dreams Drowsiness, fatigue, or low energy Daytime problems functioning in work, school, or social situations Behavior problems related to bedtime or being afraid of the dark Having a child with a nightmare disorder can cause significant sleep disturbance and cause concern for parents or carers.

3. Causes of Nightmares

Dreams including bad dreams and nightmares are still a mystery to scientists. While it's currently unknown what causes them, we do know of many things that can make nightmares more frequent. Here are the causes of nightmares:
3.1. Anxiety or stress Sometimes, the daily stresses of life can bring on nightmares. Worrying about school or work can make you more likely to get this condition. Larger events and life changes, such as moving house or losing a loved one, can also bring on nightmares.
3.2. Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) It is not uncommon to have nightmares after something traumatic, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, or an accident. For people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares are common. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, you may have episodes that are intense and frequent. Those nightmares can also make your post-traumatic stress disorder worse.
3.3. Mental health conditions If you're dealing with things like bipolar disorder, depression, general anxiety disorder, or schizophrenia, you're more likely to have nightmares. Your doctor can recommend things like stress reduction techniques or different types of therapy that can help minimize your nightmares.
3.4. Medications Some medications can make you have more nightmares. These include drugs like the following:
Antidepressants Antibacterials Beta blockers Blood pressure medications Parkinson's medications Drugs to help you quit Smoking Stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate (such as those used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy) If you think medication is giving you nightmares, talk to your doctor. They may change the type of medication or dose you take.
3.5. Substance abuse If you abuse alcohol or drugs, you may have more nightmares. Quitting alcohol or drugs can also make them more likely. For example, opioid drugs affect the parts of your body that regulate sleep. You can have a heavy sleep, but you can also go back and forth between stages of sleep much faster. That can bring nightmares. As you go through the withdrawal process and your pattern readjusts, the nightmare can linger.

3.6. Insufficient sleep A lack of quality sleep can cause a nightmare. A common cause of restless sleep is a change in your schedule. For example, if you wake up or go to bed at times that are not normal for you, or if you have trouble sleeping. Insomnia is also a common cause of nightmares.
3.7. Eat Right Before Bed A snack or snack before bed can speed up your metabolism, making your brain work more. If you find yourself having more nightmares, try to avoid those intoxicating feelings after dinner.
3.8. Sleep apnea This is when you stop breathing for a short time while you sleep. Although doctors aren't sure why, there's a belief that sleep apnea can make you have more nightmares. Some researchers think that stress may accompany this condition causing them. Some studies show that CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) breathing therapy can reduce your odds of having nightmares. In one study, 91% of participants said their nightmare would go away after they had it.
3.9. Scary Books and Movies Sometimes, reading a scary book or watching a horror movie can trigger nightmares, especially if you do them right before bed. Video games and TV shows that scare you can also make you more likely to get them. If you notice that you often have nightmares after reading or watching something scary, avoid those activities right before you go to bed.

4. When to see a doctor

It's normal to have nightmares from time to time. But you should see your doctor if you have a nightmare:
Disrupts your sleep Happens more than once a week Affects your mood or activities Makes you afraid to go to bed Makes it difficult to perform daily tasks Start at the same time you start a new drug

5. What can you do?

Nightmares do happen sometimes, but there are strategies that can reduce your chances. Try to:
Keep an adequate sleep and rest schedule at night Cut out alcohol, caffeine and tobacco Exercise earlier in the day Relax before you fall asleep Stay away from scary movies, games games, TV shows, and books If these tips don't work, see your doctor. They can help you find another cause of your nightmares.

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