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No review has specifically focused on the experience of nightmares in individuals with a mental disorder. With a better understanding of nightmares in this population, clinicians will be more inclined to investigate for the presence of chronic nightmares, to consider nightmares for prognosis, and to treat this sleep difficulty independently from other mental disorders. Therefore, this narrative review aims to summarize the most relevant literature on the experience of nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Differences in the experience of nightmares between mental disorders are also addressed. Expectedly, the positive relationship between nightmares and PTSD is the most empirically supported. Empirical data generally support a positive relationship between nightmares and other mental disorders, with the autism spectrum disorder being an exception. Moreover, the presence of nightmares in individuals with a mental disorder is often associated with poorer mental health, poorer sleep, and a greater risk for suicide. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance for clinicians to investigate for the presence of chronic nightmares along with other sleep difficulties (most commonly, insomnia and sleep apnea), to consider the potential influence of nightmares on the course of the primary mental disorder, and to be prepared to grant access to treatments targeting nightmares.
No review has specifically focused on the experience of nightmares in individuals with a mental disorder. With a better understanding of nightmares in this population, clinicians will be more inclined to investigate for the presence of chronic nightmares, to consider nightmares for prognosis, and to treat this sleep difficulty independently from other mental disorders. Therefore, this narrative review aims to summarize the most relevant literature on the experience of nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Differences in the experience of nightmares between mental disorders are also addressed. Expectedly, the positive relationship between nightmares and PTSD is the most empirically supported. Empirical data generally support a positive relationship between nightmares and other mental disorders, with the autism spectrum disorder being an exception. Moreover, the presence of nightmares in individuals with a mental disorder is often associated with poorer mental health, poorer sleep, and a greater risk for suicide. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance for clinicians to investigate for the presence of chronic nightmares along with other sleep difficulties (most commonly, insomnia and sleep apnea), to consider the potential influence of nightmares on the course of the primary mental disorder, and to be prepared to grant access to treatments targeting nightmares.
Dreaming has been associated with human activity, including the activity of individuals with chronic illness. To date, there is a body of literature that has associated dreaming with certain chronic illnesses such as breast cancer, asthma, hypertension, and colitis. However, little research has been done on dreaming activity among cancer patients and their beliefs. This study aims to investigate dreaming activity among cancer patients and explore their meaning making in relation to their dreams. This qualitative study involved 35 cancer patients. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The themes that emerged were dreams as an alarm, sadness and anxiety, denial, hope and motivation, nightmares are the work of evil, and searching for confirmation. It is hoped that this study will promote our understanding of cancer patients' journey.
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