Nightmares and dissociative experiences: The key role of childhood traumatic events

Abstract

In order to examine the co-occurrence of nightmares with dissociative experiences in the adolescent population and to demonstrate the impact of childhood traumatic events in this association, 292 undergraduate students were interviewed for childhood traumatic events. The Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS) and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) were also administered to the subjects. For nightmares a 7.5% prevalence of 'often' and a 58.2% prevalence of 'sometimes' was found for college students. Nightmare prevalence was higher in women than in men. The rate of childhood traumatic experiences was higher in nightmare sufferers than in those who did not have nightmares. The subjects who had undergone physical and sexual abuse had higher VDAS global scores and item scores. When the DES scores of the subjects with nightmares were compared with that of those who had never reported nightmares, the subjects with nightmares had significantly higher scores on DES. The DES scores were also negatively correlated with duration of nightmares in subjects who had childhood traumatic experiences. These findings suggest that the subjects with childhood traumatic events failed to psychologically integrate their traumatic experiences and used dissociation as a coping strategy.

Development of a Structure-Validated Nightmare Experience Questionnaire in Chinese University Students

“…In clinics, the frequent nightmares are prevalent in 16.7% patients with schizophrenia [8], 17.5% depression [8,9], 25% substance or alcohol abuse [10,11], 49% borderline personality disorder [12,13], 57% dissociative disorder [14,15], and 90% post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [16]. Moreover, the frequent nightmares happen in anxiety and bipolar disorders [17,18].…”

Parasomnia and Dissociative Disorders

“…It reported that depressive and dissociative Disorders are frequently observed together [5]. In some patients with dissociative amnesia, depression symptoms can accompany [6].…”

“…In most of the patients with parasomnia, bipolar Disorders, especially non-psychotic depressive disorder, and anxiety Disorders were reported [4]. Dissociative disorder is frequently observed alongside depressive Disorders [5]. In some individuals with dissociative amnesia, depressive symptoms can be seen together with self-harm, aggressive impulses, suicidal impulses and actions [6].…”

Insomnia and Its Correlates: Current Concepts, Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Future Remarks

“…Current models of nightmare production seem to emphasize negative emotionality as having a central role in determining dream affects. Ağargün et al previously reported that the prevalence of childhood traumatic experiences was higher among adult who ''often'' had nightmares than among adults who ''sometimes'' or ''never'' had nightmares (Ağargün et al, 2003). With regard to the associations between nightmares and mental health status, Nielsen et al studied adolescents (aged 13-16) and reported a significant association between the frequency of nightmares and the level of anxiety (Nielsen et al, 2006).…”