Test Your Knowledge

There are many possible causes of nightmares. For instance, exposure to frightening images, such as those found in movies, books or video games, may cause nightmares, especially in children. Periods of emotional tension, stress or conflict can also induce nightmares. Sleep deprivation and changes in sleep schedules are also potential causes.

Other possible causes of nightmares may include:

• Psychiatric and sleep disorders, including:
  
• • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychiatric illness that occurs after a traumatic event in which the threat of injury or death was present (e.g., combat, abuse, natural disaster). It may occur soon after the trauma or be delayed for months.
    
    
  • Depression. Mood disorder marked by sadness, anger or frustration that lasts for long periods of time and interferes with a person’s ability to enjoy daily life.
    
    
  • Schizophrenia. A serious thought disorder that makes it difficult to distinguish between real and unreal experiences, think logically, have normal emotional responses to others and behave appropriately in social situations.
    
    
  • Dissociative disorders. Disorders characterized by the sudden, temporary separation of thoughts, emotions, sensation or memories from the rest of the identity or sense of self.
    
    
  • Panic disorder. Repeated, sudden attacks of intense fear that cause severe anxiety symptoms in the body. It is more likely to begin in adolescence than in childhood.
    
    
  • REM sleep behavior disorder. Sleep disorder characterized by altered dreams and violent behavior that often leads to self-injury during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
    
    
  • Arousal disorders. Disorders that cause a person to awaken during sleep. One example is sleepwalking (disorder marked by walking or other activity during sleep).
    
    
• Medications, including:
  
• • Antidepressants. Medications primarily used to prevent or treat depression, anxiety and obsessional problems.
    
    
  • Antihypertensives. Medications to treat high blood pressure.
    
    
  • Anti-parkinsonian medications. Medications to treat Parkinson’s disease (progressive disorder of the nervous system).
    
    
• Withdrawal from medications and substances, including:
  
• • Alcohol.
    
    
  • Barbiturates. A class of drugs that slow the central nervous system and produce relaxation.
    
    
  • Benzodiazepines. Medications that slow down the central nervous system. They are used to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms and prevent seizures.

The cause of night terrors is unknown, but, like nightmares, they are commonly associated with periods of emotional tension, stress or conflict. They may also be caused by:

• Arousal disorders.
  
  
• Family history. Some studies indicate an increased likelihood of night terrors among people who have a close relative (parent, sibling, child) with night terrors or who sleepwalks.
  
  
• Alcohol or sedative use. Withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives during the night can cause night terrors.
  
  
• Sleep deprivation/fatigue. These can disrupt sleep patterns and cause night terrors.
  
  
• Disruptions in sleep/wake schedules. Working the night shift can disrupt normal sleeping patterns and result in night terrors.