What Causes Nightmares?

Anxiety And Depression

Anxiety and depression can have a huge influence on your ability to get a good night's sleep. The daily worries of life and stressful events can result in restless nights and disturbing nightmares. Many individuals experience anxiety on a daily basis at school or work, especially due to worries about performance. Students experience stress before exams or other tests, and working adults may have demanding jobs and little time to decompress and unwind. Significant life events such as divorce or the death of a loved one can cause life-altering depression as well. Anxiety and depression are linked to poor sleep, and both may give rise to nightmares. Many students have nightmares about exams even after they've finished school. Studies have also shown a very strong link between severe depression and a higher incidence of nightmares.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are much more likely to have nightmares than the general population. Those who have suffered trauma or survived circumstances like natural disasters, war, or years of abuse have a significantly increased risk of recurring or frequent nightmares. According to research estimates, approximately fifty-two to ninety-six percent of the PTSD population suffer from nightmares. Many patients tend to replay traumatic events over and over in their mind, and these elements or themes become an integral part of their nightmares. Some individuals keep reliving the trauma for months or years afterward during waking hours and in their nightmares.

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