Nightmares (Symptoms)

You wake up with your heart pounding, and maybe even with a shout. Isolated nightmares are normal, but when dreams resulting in extreme terror or anxiety recur often they can become a debilitating sleep disorder.

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Criteria for Nightmare Disorder

Repeatedly wakes up with detailed recollection of long, frightening dreams centering around threats to survival, security or self-esteem, usually occurring in the second half of sleep or nap period.
Becomes oriented and alert instantly upon awakening.
Results in distress or impairment of occupational, social or other important areas of functioning.
Symptoms are not caused by general medical condition or by use of medications or other substances.

Nightmares tend to be more common among children and become less frequent toward adulthood. Nevertheless, about 50 percent of adults experience occasional nightmares, women more often than men, and do not require any treatment. Eating just prior to going to bed, which raises the body's metabolism and brain activity, may cause an increase in nightmares. Approximately 1 percent of adults will experience repeated nightmares and should seek help.

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