The common nightmare themes in nightmare disorder consist of threats to the patient’s:

* Physical well-being.
* Security.
* Survival

State University of New York at Albany

Nightmare disorder is defined as recurring incidences of distressed, prolonged, and memorable nightmares that usually include threats to the person’s life.

Nightmare Disorder

Nightmare Disorder. (2022, November 21). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved January 28, 2024 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24464-nightmare-disorder

Nightmare Disorder Reference 

Two to eight percent of people in the United States suffer from nightmare disorder.

The Prevalence of Nightmare Disorder

* Heart racing.
* Sweating.
* Shortness of breath.


Physical Symptoms of Nightmare Disorder

Nightmare Disorder can be categorized based on duration. These categories are:

* Acute nightmare disorder, the maximum duration for this disorder is one month.
* Subacute nightmare disorder, this disorder lasts between one to six months. 
* Chronic nightmare disorder, six months or more is the typical duration for this disorder.


Types of Nightmare Disorder Based on Duration

There are different levels of severity for nightmare disorder. These levels are:

* Mild nightmare disorder. It is a mild disorder when there is usually one nightmare each week or less. 
* Moderate nightmare disorder. It is considered as such when nightmares occur once or twice a week. 
* Severe nightmare disorder. It is classified as severe when there are nightly nightmares.


Levels of Severity of Nightmare Disorder

Having any of these psychological disorders increases the risk of developing nightmare disorder:

* Narcolepsy.
* Depression.
* Generalized anxiety disorder.
* Sleep apnea.
* Rapid eye movement behavior disorder.
* Post-traumatic stress disorder.
* Social anxiety disorder.
* Periodic limb movement disorder.

Risk Factors for Nightmare Disorder

The consequences of nightmare disorder can be developing the following physical and emotional symptoms through the dreaming episode, after waking up, or each time the dream is remembered.

* Tiredness.
* Depression or anxiety.
* Behavioral problems.
* Refusing to sleep.
* Trouble concentrating.
* Daytime sleepiness.
* Reduced functioning in social settings.
* Reduced functioning at school or the workplace.

Consequences of Untreated Nightmare Disorder

The following is a list of medications and substances that contribute to the development of nightmare disorder.

* Antidepressants.
* Nicotine.
* Beta-blockers.
* Alcohol withdrawal.

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