Nightmares: Causes and Coping Methods

Almost all of us have experienced having a nightmare, or a "bad dream" at one point or another. Having a nightmare can be a very unpleasant experience. Although everyone can have nightmares, children are more likely to have nightmares than adults. According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams, 5-10 percent of adults have at least one nightmare each month, if not more frequently. What causes nightmares? How do you cope with recurring nightmares? Here, I will answer these common questions about nightmares.

What exactly is a nightmare?

According to Wikipedia, the exact definition of a nightmare is the following: "A nightmare is a dream which causes a strong unpleasant emotional response from the sleeper, typically fear or horror, being in situations of extreme danger, or the sensations of pain, falling, drowning or death." Nightmares may involve you and people you know, making it an even scarier experience. Most times, nightmares seem so real that it causes the sleeper to wake up, sweating or out of breath. Waking from a bad nightmare can often prevent you from going back to sleep right away. It's important to remember that nightmares, no matter how real they seem, are not real. Nightmares can vary, and can also be recurring, meaning you have the same dream over a certain period of time.

What is the cause of a nightmare?

There are many different causes of nightmares. When you're stressed out or worried about things in your life, you may have nightmares more often than usual. Financial worries, pregnancy, death in the family, relationship or marriage problems, getting in trouble at work or school, or being fired are all reasons you may be having nightmares. For children, they may be worried about their parents fighting, a death of a favorite pet, or the fear that there are monsters under their bed. A lot of times, people have nightmares after going through a traumatic life event, such as a car accident, surgery, losing a loved one or being part of a crime such as robbery, kidnapping, or rape.

Besides these obvious stressors, certain illnesses and medications are big factors in having nightmares. You may tend to have strange nightmares if you are sick or have a fever. If you are starting a new medication, or if you stop taking a certain medicine, you may also experience nightmares. Also, eating right before bed will cause an increase in brain activity, which may trigger a nightmare.

What if nightmares become a problem for me?

First, you should try to identify the cause of your nightmares. Did you just get fired from a job? Are you worried you may be pregnant? Certain worries like these can be cured by solving the problems. If you just got fired, begin searching for a new one. If you're worried you're pregnant, take a test. Other problems in your life can be solved, even if takes some professional help. If you just lost a close family member, you may benefit from talking with a doctor or therapist to help you get through the tough time. If you are worried that you can't pay your bills on time, talk to your creditors about payment plans, or even consider getting some financial assistance. For a child who is scared there may be a big scary monster hiding in the closet, ensure them that there is nothing there and they have nothing to be afraid of. Recurring nightmares which occur after a traumatic event often mean your mind is recovering, and that they will eventually go away.

For nightmares which occur due to illness or medication, you might want to talk to your doctor about solutions. If you're sick, your doctor will most likely be able to help you get better. If you're taking a certain medication, see if there are any alternatives. For nightmares that are caused by illness and medicine, it's going to be a trial and error process until you find what works best for you.

You should learn to understand your nightmares and dreams in general. There are many different books available that may be able to help you decode your dreams. You may also benefit from keeping a journal by your bed, so that when you wake up from a nightmare, you can write down everything you remember. Include details and people in the nightmare, that way you can refer back to the journal if needed.

Overall, just remember that nightmares are only in your mind, and they are not real. Seek help if you find it necessary, and don't be afraid to admit you need help. Having nightmares and not getting a good night's sleep over a period of time can really affect your well being, that's why it's important that you do what's best for you.