Nightmares can be a distressing experience no matter your age. They may cause fear and anxiety during your waking hours as you replay the events of the dream in your mind’s eye throughout the day.
While many adults may have the occasional nightmare, frequent nightmares are less likely.
If you find that your disturbing dreams start to become chronic, you may have a mental health condition known as nightmare disorder.
What is nightmare disorder?
Nightmare disorder, also called dream anxiety disorder, is a rare type of sleep-related disorder (parasomnia) affecting about 4% of adults, causing distress and sleep problems.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), nightmare disorder describes repeated instances of extended, profoundly unnerving, and well-remembered dreams.
These elaborate, unsettling dreams may involve life-or-death situations or scenarios that threaten an individual’s sense of security or wholeness.
Nightmares of this nature usually take place during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when dreams are longer and more vivid.
Upon waking, an individual is immediately alert and oriented. However, this type of sleep disturbance may cause a person significant unease and distract from daytime functioning. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in emotional and physical well-being.
The DSM-5 categorizes nightmare disorder by frequency:
Acute. Nightmare occurrence is 1 month or less.
Subacute. Nightmares occur for longer than 1 month but less than 6 months.
Persistent. Nightmares persist for 6 months or longer.
And by severity:
Mild. Less than one nightmare per week on average.
Moderate. One or more nightmares per week, but not nightly.
Severe. Nightmare episodes occur nightly.
While many adults may have the occasional nightmare, frequent nightmares are less likely.
If you find that your disturbing dreams start to become chronic, you may have a mental health condition known as nightmare disorder.
What is nightmare disorder?
Nightmare disorder, also called dream anxiety disorder, is a rare type of sleep-related disorder (parasomnia) affecting about 4% of adults, causing distress and sleep problems.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), nightmare disorder describes repeated instances of extended, profoundly unnerving, and well-remembered dreams.
These elaborate, unsettling dreams may involve life-or-death situations or scenarios that threaten an individual’s sense of security or wholeness.
Nightmares of this nature usually take place during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when dreams are longer and more vivid.
Upon waking, an individual is immediately alert and oriented. However, this type of sleep disturbance may cause a person significant unease and distract from daytime functioning. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in emotional and physical well-being.
The DSM-5 categorizes nightmare disorder by frequency:
Acute. Nightmare occurrence is 1 month or less.
Subacute. Nightmares occur for longer than 1 month but less than 6 months.
Persistent. Nightmares persist for 6 months or longer.
And by severity:
Mild. Less than one nightmare per week on average.
Moderate. One or more nightmares per week, but not nightly.
Severe. Nightmare episodes occur nightly.