Here's Why You Might Have the Same Nightmare Over and Over Again

Some reaseachers believe that recurrent nightmares stem from unmet psychological needs, such as autonomy, compentence, and relatedness.

• These unmet needs can lead to recurring dreams, and in some cases. curring nightmares as an effort at processing and integrating these experierences

Medication, drugs, and alcohol may interfere with brain chemicals and increase the likelihood of nightmares.

• Studies have found that sedatives, beta-blockers, and amphetamines are especially likely to cause nightmares. In some cases, withdrawing from substances can also lead to recurring nightmares.

Nightmares are one of the most common symptoms of PTSD.

• They often involve re-experiencing the same trauma that was endured in real life (although they may also seem unrelated to a specific real-life trauma as well).

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorer that is characterized by self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships.

• About 49% of individuals with borderline personality disorder report nightmares.

Some individuals with recurring nightmares may qualify for a diagnosis of "nightmare disorder" Nightmare disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by:

• Recurrent episodes of well-remembered dreams that typically involve efforts to avoid threats to survival or physical integrity
• Rapid alertness upon waking from the nightmare
• Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning

In order to meet the criteria for a diagnosis, the symptoms cannot be explained by a mood altering substance

While nightmares can be about anything, reaseachers have found that there are some common themes to nightmares.

• A 2018 study examined common nightmares in children. The researchers discovered that children’s nightmares often involved being chased, physical aggression, or the death or injury of a loved one.
• A 2014 study published in SLEEP found that adult nightmares are often similar. After analyzing more than 10,000 dreams, researchers found most nightmares involved physical aggression of some kind. Health issues, death, and threats were also common.

These are just a few difficulties you might experience as a result of recurrent nightmares.

• Link to suicide: A 2014 study found a link between recurring nightmares and suicide in war veterans. And a 2017 study found nightmares are associated with non-suicidal self-injury among college students.
• Sleep deprivation: What distinguishes nightmares from bad dreams is the fact that nightmares tend to wake people up. They also make it hard to fall back asleep which can lead to sleep deprivation. 
• Low mood: Nightmares have also been associated with depression, anxiety, and other mood disturbances.

The treatment for recurring nightmares depends on the cause. sometimes, a few lifestyle changes can reduce them.

• At other times, medication changes may be necessary. A physician might be able to prescribe a medication that can decrease nightmares or change one that is contributing to them.
• Therapists often use exposure therapy to treat PTSD, and this could decrease recurring nightmares. Therapists may also use exposure therapy to adress nightmares directly.
• Different types of psychotherapy may be effective in reducing recurring nightmares as well.