梦魇是令人恐惧或令人不安的梦想。噩梦的主题从人对人民差异很大，但共同的主题包括被追逐，堕落或感到迷失或被困住。噩梦会让你感受到各种情感，包括：

  • 愤怒，
  • sadness
  • 有罪
  • fear
  • 焦虑

即使在你醒来之后，你也可能继续体验这些情绪。

People of all ages have nightmares. However, nightmares are more common in children, especially those under age 10. Girls are more likely to be troubled by their nightmares than boys. Nightmares seem to be a part of normal development, and except in the case of创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）, they usually aren’t symptoms of any underlying medical condition or mental disorder.

然而，如果他们坚持和中断睡眠模式，梦魇可能会成为一个问题。这可能导致失眠和在白天运作的困难。如果您正在与梦魇应对困难，请与您的医生咨询。

噩梦可以通过各种因素引发，包括：

  • 可怕的电影，书籍或电子游戏
  • snacking just before bedtime
  • 疾病或发烧
  • medications, including antidepressants, narcotics, and barbiturates
  • over-the-counter sleep aids
  • alcohol or drug abuse
  • withdrawal from sleeping pills or narcotic pain medications
  • 压力，焦虑或抑郁症
  • 噩梦紊乱，睡眠障碍标志着常见的噩梦
  • sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep
  • narcolepsy，睡眠障碍在白天的极端嗜睡，然后快速小睡或睡眠攻击
  • PTSD，经常在目击或体验创伤事件之后发展的焦虑症，例如强奸或谋杀

It is important to note that nightmares aren’t the same as sleepwalking, also called somnambulism, which causes a person to walk around while still asleep. They also differ from night terrors, also known as sleep terrors. Children who have night terrors sleep through the episodes and usually don’t recall the incidents in the morning. They may also have a tendency to sleepwalk or urinate in bed during night terrors. Night terrors usually stop once a child reaches puberty. However, some adults may have night terrors and experience limited dream recall, especially during times of stress.

Most children and adults have nightmares from time to time. However, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor if nightmares persist over an extended period of time, disrupt your sleep patterns, and interfere with your ability to function during the day.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your use of stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and certain illegal drugs. They will also ask you about any prescription or over-the-counter medications and supplements you are currently taking. If you believe a new medication is prompting your nightmares, ask your doctor if there is an alternative treatment that you can try.

没有特定的诊断噩梦测试。但是，您的医生可能会建议您接受睡眠学习。在睡眠学习期间，你在实验室里度过了夜晚。传感器监控各种功能，包括：

  • heartbeat
  • brain waves
  • 呼吸
  • blood oxygen levels
  • eye movements
  • 腿部运动
  • 肌肉紧张

如果您的医生怀疑您的噩梦可能是由潜在的条件造成的，例如PTSD或焦虑，那么他们可能会运行其他测试。

Treatment usually isn’t required for nightmares. However, any underlying medical or mental health problems should be addressed.

如果您的噩梦因PTSD而发生，您的医生可能会规定血压药物普拉佐汀。一种recent studyshowed that this medication helps treat nightmares related to PTSD.

Your doctor may recommend counseling or stress-reduction techniques if any of the following conditions is triggering your nightmares:

  • 焦虑
  • 沮丧
  • stress

In rare cases, medication for sleep disturbances may be advised.

Lifestyle changes may help decrease the frequency of your nightmares. You can try:

  • 每周至少锻炼三次
  • limiting the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
  • avoiding tranquilizers
  • engaging in relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, before you go to bed
  • establishing a sleep pattern by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning

如果您的孩子经常噩梦，鼓励他们谈论他们的噩梦。解释噩梦不能伤害他们。其他技术包括：

  • 为您的孩子创建睡前程序，包括每晚相同的睡前
  • 帮助您的孩子随着深呼吸的练习而放松
  • having your child rewrite the ending of the nightmare
  • having your child talk to the characters from the nightmare
  • having your child keep a dream journal
  • 晚上给你的孩子塞满了动物，毯子或其他物品
  • 使用夜灯并在夜间离开卧室门