Nightmare Disorder    

Nightmare Disorder, as the name clearly implies, is diagnosed if the individual has detailed and disturbing nightmares that awaken her or him from sleep. The nightmares are frightening and threatening, and they are well remembered upon awakening. The victim usually is fully awakened during the second half of a sleep period; this alert state is one difference between Nightmare Disorder and Sleep Terror Disorder.

Nightmares are reported more often in children, more often in females than in males, and most often in people under severe stress. The most common period of onset is between 3 and 6 years of age, and the frequency of nightmare disorder is unknown. 

Many people have nightmares upon occasion, but few nightmares are severe and frequent enough to come to clinical attention. The symptoms usually become less severe as the person ages. Psychotherapy may help to reduce nightmares. Some additional information is available at this web site.

                                                                                                                                Last updated  12/19/03