Why do we have nightmares?

If you’ve ever woken up in a panic from a nightmare, you’re not alone.

They can be pretty common.

But, why exactly do these frightening dreams happen?

“Stress, anxiety, whether that’s due to things you have going on in your life that represent more of a stressor or a challenge, things like a move, a change in a job, or loss of a loved one, things like that, all of these kind of unresolved problems that we experience during the day can definitely cross over into our nightmare activity,” explained Alaina Tiani, PhD, sleep psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Additional causes of nightmares

Dr. Tiani said nightmares could also be influenced by watching a scary movie, seeing something upsetting on the news or having a difficult conversation before bed.

Individuals who experience post-traumatic stress disorder may experience nightmares as well.

Alcohol, caffeine, and side effects of certain medications can play a role too.

Dr. Tiani said while you can’t always control if you have a nightmare, there are some things you can do to potentially help.

For example, focusing on stress management and being mindful of the content you’re consuming.

“That’s true for probably both adults and kiddos that media exposure, the things that we might read or the videos we might watch, just being mindful of the content because anything stressful or overwhelming could heighten the risk for a nightmare. Those themes or feelings could be present in our dreams,” said Dr. Tiani.

If your nightmares are frequent, recurrent and impact your quality of life, it’s best to consult with a medical provider or mental health professional.

There are different treatment options available.