The site of the Media Sphera Publishers contains materials intended solely for healthcare professionals.
By closing this message, you confirm that you are a certified medical professional or a student of a medical educational institution.

Login
EN
+7 (495) 482-4118
+7 (495) 482-0604
+8 800 250-18-12
  • (toll-free number for subscriptions)
    Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • © 1998-2025
+7 (495) 482-43-29
EN
All journals
Journal
Year
Year
Search result: 0

Korabelnikova E.A.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Tkachenko V.D.

Central State Medical Academy of the Presidential Administration;
Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center

Nightmares in patients with insomnia

Authors:

Korabelnikova E.A., Tkachenko V.D.

More about the authors

Journal: S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2022;122(5‑2): 42‑47

DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202212205242

Read: 2638 times

Download PDF (RU)
Contact the author
Table of contents

NIGHTMARES IN PATIENTS WITH INSOMNIA
NIGHTMARES IN PATIENTS WITH INSOMNIA

To cite this article:

Korabelnikova EA, Tkachenko VD. Nightmares in patients with insomnia. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2022;122(5‑2):42‑47. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202212205242

Подписка 2026 Журнал неврологии и психиатрии им. С.С. Корсакова. Спецвыпуски (S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry (special issues))
 
МСФ на ЯМ
Использование инфографики авторами научных работ
Close metadata
Recommended articles:
Inso­mnia in children. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;(5-2):46-51
The use of zolpidem in the treatment of acute and chro­nic inso­mnia. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;(5-2):52-56
The pote­ntial of neurofeedback control in treating inso­mnia and improving sleep quality (a systematic review). S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;(5-2):57-63
Vali­dation of ballistocardiography data for predicting the sleep effi­ciency in healthy indi­viduals and patients with inso­mnia. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2024;(10):60-66
Carbonyl stress in meno­pausal women with inso­mnia. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2024;(11):192-197
Treatment of acute postoperative pain and prevention of chro­nic postoperative pain syndrome. Piro­gov Russian Journal of Surgery. 2024;(12):81-86
Subjective sleep quality evaluation in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum diso­rders. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2024;(12):57-61
Evaluation of the impact of a comprehensive reha­bilitation program on improving nutritional status, psychoemotional signs and adve­rse events in patients with mela­noma after surgical treatment. Piro­gov Russian Journal of Surgery. 2024;(12-2):173-178
Sleep deprivation and the deve­lopment of oxidative stress in animal models. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;(3):124-129
The state of mental health of migrant workers and citi­zens of the Russian Fede­ration: A comparative analysis as illu­strated by the Moscow region. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;(4):95-101
Abstract:

Studies show a high frequency of comorbidity of insomnia and nightmares, which aggravate and chronicle each other. The mechanisms of their mutual influence are different. Insomnia changes the nature of dreams, both indirectly through emotional hyperactivation characteristic of insomnia, and as a result of frequent awakenings. However, frequent recurring unpleasant and frightening dreams can themselves increase the frequency of nocturnal awakenings and worsen the quality of sleep. The comorbidity of insomnia and nightmares should be taken into account when choosing a therapeutic approach in this category of patients. Priority are drugs that do not cause nightmares as a side effect, as well as psychotherapy.

Keywords:

insomnia
nightmares
pharmacotherapy
psychotherapy

Authors:

Korabelnikova E.A.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Tkachenko V.D.

Central State Medical Academy of the Presidential Administration;
Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center

Received:

31.03.2022

Accepted:

04.05.2022

Close metadata

References:

  1. Sateia MJ. International classification of sleep disorders. Chest. 2014;146(5):1387-1394. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-0970
  2. Machemer T. Insomnia and Vivid Dreams on the Rise With COVID-19. Available at: Anxiety smithsonianmag.com Accessed April 23, 2020. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/insomnia-and-vivid-dreams-rise-pandemic-anxiety-180974726/
  3. Schredl, M, Schäfer, G, Weber B, et al. Dreaming and insomnia:dream recall and dream content of patients with insomnia. J Sleep Res. 1998;7(3):191-198. 
  4. Ermann M. Die Traumerinnerung bei Patienten mit psychogenen Schlafstörungen:Empirische Befunde und einige Folgerungen für das Verständnis des Träumens. In: Leuschner W., Hau S. (Eds.). Traum und Gedächtnis:Neue Ergebnisse aus psychologischer, psychoanalytischer und neurophysiologischer Forschung. LIT Verlag. 1998;165-186. 
  5. Kramer M, Roth T. Dreams in psychopathologic patient groups. Sleep disorders: Diagnosis and treatment. In: Williams R.L., Karacan I. (Eds.). Sleep disorders: diagnosis and treatment. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1978;323-349. 
  6. Mellen RR, Duffey TH, Craig SM. Manifest content in the dreams of clinical populations. J Ment Health Counsel. 1993;15:170-183. 
  7. Ermann M, Peichl J, Pohl H. Psychogene Schlafstörung als Traumstörung:Die Traumerinnerung bei Patienten mit psychovegetativen Schlafstörungen. In: Becker-Carus C. (Hrsg.). Fortschritte der Schlafmedizin. Aktuelle Beiträge zur Insomnieforschung. 1994;4:102-114. 
  8. Backhaus J, Lis S, Riemann D, et al. Mikroanalytischer Vergleich des Schlafes von Patienten mitprimärer Insomnie und gesunden Kontrollprobanden. In: Mayer G. (Ed.). Schlafmedizin in Deutschland 1995. München: Medizin Verlag; 1996;13-16. 
  9. Ohayon M, Morselli N. Nightmares: Their relation with insomnia, mental illness and diurnal functioning. Sleep Res. 1994;23:171-177. 
  10. Schlarb A, Bihlmaier I, Hautzinger M, et al. Nightmares and associations with sleep quality and self-efficacy among university students. J Sleep Disord Manag. 2015;1:1-5. 
  11. Munezawa T, Kaneita Y, Osaki Y, et al. Nightmare and sleep paralysis among Japanese adolescents:a nationwide representative survey. Sleep Med. 2011;12(1):56-64.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2010.04.015
  12. Sweileh WM, Ali IA, Sawalha AF, et al. Sleep habits and sleep problems among Palestinian students. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2011;5(1):1-8.  https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-2000-5-25
  13. Kaneita Y, Ali IA, Sawalha, AF, et al. Associations between sleep disturbance and mental health status:a longitudinal study of Japanese junior high school students. Sleep Med. 2009;10(7):780-786.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2008.06.014
  14. Thorpy MJ. Classification of Sleep Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2012;9:687-701.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-012-0145-6
  15. Diagnostic and statistical. manual of mental disorders, 5th ed. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
  16. Englehart RJ, Hale DB. Punishment, nail-biting and nightmares: a cross-cultural study. J Multicult Couns Dev. 1990;18:126-132.  https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1912.1990.tb00442.x
  17. Schredl M, Morlock M, Bozzer A. Kindheitserinnerungen und Träume Erwachsener. Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1996;42:25-33. 
  18. Schredl M. Nightmare frequency and nightmare topics in a representative German sample. European Arc Psychiatr Clin Neurosci. 2010;260(8):565-570.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-010-0112-3
  19. Bixler EO, Kales A, Soldatos CR, et al. Prevalence of sleep disorders in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Am J Psychiatry. 1979;136:1257-1262.
  20. Stepansky R, Holzinger B, Schmeiser-Rieder A, et al. Austrian dream behavior:Results of a representative population survey. Dreaming. 1998;8(1):23-30.  https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DREM.0000005912.77493.d6
  21. Abdel-Khalek AM. Prevalence rates of reported nightmares in a cross-sectional sample of Kuwaiti children, adolescents, undergraduates, employees. Sleep Hypnosys. 2010;12(1-2):13-22.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/27.4.726
  22. Gaultney JF. The prevalence of sleep disorders in college students:impact on academic performance. J Am Coll Health. 2010;59(2):91-97.  https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2010.483708
  23. Ohayon MM, Morselli PL, Guilleminault C. Prevalence of nightmares and their relationship to psychopathology and daytime functioning in insomnia subjects. Sleep. 1997;20(5):340-348.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/20.5.340
  24. Zadra A, Pilon M, Donderi DC. Variety and intensity of emotions in nightmares and bad dreams. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2006;194(4):249-254.  https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nmd.0000207359.46223.dc
  25. McNamara P. Children’s Dreams and Nightmares. Psychology Today. 2016, October 30. Retrieved. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dream-catcher/201610/childrens-dreams-and-nightmares
  26. Swart ML, Van Schagen AM, Lancee J, et al. Prevalence of nightmare disorder in psychiatric outpatients. Psychother Psychosom. 2013;82(4):267-268.  https://doi.org/10.1159/000343590
  27. Hafizi S. Sleep and borderline personality disorder. Asian J Psychiatr. 2013;6(6):452-459.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2013.06.016
  28. Musse FCC, Castro LDS, Sousa KMM, et al. Mental violence:the COVID-19 nightmare. Front Psychiatry. 2020;2:45-49.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.579289
  29. Grünwald J, Schlarb AA. Relationship between subtypes and symptoms of ADHD, insomnia, and nightmares in connection with quality of life in children. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:2341. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S118076
  30. Morin CM, Belleville G, Bélanger B, et al. The Insomnia Severity Index:psychometric indicators to detect insomnia cases and evaluate treatment response. Sleep. 2011;34(5):601-608.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/34.5.601
  31. Köthe M, Lahl O, Pietrowsky R. Habituelle Stressverarbeitung, Befindlichkeit und Verhaltennach Alpträumen. Zeitschrift Klin Psychol Psychother. 2006;35(4):306-313.  https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443.35.4.306
  32. Kemstach VV, Korostovtseva LS, Alyokhine AN, et al. Studies of the psychophysiological aspects and etiopathogenesis of insomnia:Russian and foreign approaches. Vestnik Rossijskogo Universiteta Druzhby Narodov. Seriya: Psihologiya i pedagogika — Bulletin of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Series: Psychology and Pedagogy. 2020;17(2):288-309. (In Russ.).
  33. Lund HG, Reider BD, Whiting AB, et al. Sleep patterns and predictors of disturbed sleep in a large population of college students. J Adolesc Health. 2010;46(2):124-132.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.016
  34. Paulsen VM, Shaver JL. Stress, support, psychological states and sleep. Soc Sci Med. 1991;32(11):1237-1243. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(91)90038-E
  35. Gradisar M, Wolfson AR, Harvey AG, et al. The sleep and technology use of Americans:findings from the National Sleep Foundation’s 2011 Sleep in America poll. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(12):1291-1299. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.3272
  36. Lavie P. Sleep disturbances in the wake of traumatic events. N Engl J Med. 2001;345(25):1825-1832. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra012893
  37. Engle-Friedman M, Riela S, Golan R, et al. The effect of sleep loss on next day effort. J Sleep Res. 2003;12(2):113-124.  https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2869.2003.00351.x
  38. Krakow B, Hollifield M, Schrader R, et al. A controlled study of imagery rehearsal for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with PTSD. J Trauma Stress. 2000;13(4):589-609.  https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007854015481
  39. Spoormaker VI, Montgomery P. Disturbed sleep in post-traumatic stress disorder:secondary symptom or core feature? Sleep Med Rev. 2008;12(3):169-184.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2007.08.008
  40. Leung AK, Robson WL, Nightmares. J Natl Med Assoc. 1993;85(3):233-237. 
  41. Nakajima S, Inoue, Y, Sasai, T, et al. Impact of frequency of nightmares comorbid with insomnia on depression in Japanese rural community residents:a cross-sectional study. Sleep Med. 2014;15(3):371-374.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2013.11.785
  42. Paul F, Schredl M, Alpers GW. Nightmares affect the experience of sleep quality but not sleep architecture:an ambulatory polysomnographic study. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2015;2(3):1-9.  https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-014-0023-4
  43. Krakow B, Zadra A, Clinical management of chronic nightmares:imagery rehearsal therapy. Behav Sleep Med. 2006;(4)1:45-70.  https://doi.org/10.1207/s15402010bsm0401_4
  44. Kay DB, Buysse DJ. Hyperarousal and beyond:new insights to the pathophysiology of insomnia disorder through functional neuroimaging studies. Brain Sci. 2017;7(3):23.  https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci7030023
  45. Standards of Practice Committee et al. Best practice guide for the treatment of nightmare disorder in adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2010;6(4):389-401.  https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.27883
  46. Wright H. How Do Dreams Affect Sleep? Updated Oct 30, 2020. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams/how-do-dreams-affect-sleep
  47. Köthe M, Pietrowsky R. Behavioral effects of nightmares and their correlations to personality patterns. Dreaming. 2001;11(1):43-52.  https:doi.org/10.1023/A:1009468517557
  48. Carskadon MA. Encyclopedia of sleep and dreaming. NY: Macmillan Publishing Co, Inc; 1993.
  49. Levin R, Raulin ML, Preliminary evidence for the proposed relationship between frequent nightmares and schizotypal symptomatology. J Pers Disord. 1991;5(1):8-14.  https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.1991.5.1.8
  50. Cipolli C, Ferrara M, De Gennaro L, et al. Beyond the neuropsychology of dreaming:insights into the neural basis of dreaming with new techniques of sleep recording and analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2017;35:8-20.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2016.07.005
  51. Sheaves B, Porcheret K, Tsanas, A, et al. Insomnia, nightmares, and chronotype as markers of risk for mental illness:results from a student population. Sleep. 2016;39(1):173-181.  https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.5342
  52. Krakow B. Nightmare complaints in treatment-seeking patients in clinical sleep medicine settings:diagnostic and treatment implications. Sleep. 2006;29(10):1313-1319. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/29.10.1313
  53. Bouchard S, Bastien C, Morin CM. Self-efficacy and adherence to cognitive-behavioral treatment of insomnia. Behav Sleep Med. 2003;1(4):187-199.  https://doi.org/10.1207/S15402010BSM0104_2
  54. Hudson JI, Manoach, DS, Sabo, AN, et al. Recurrent nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder:association with sleep paralysis, hypnopompic hallucinations, and REM sleep. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1991;179(9):572-573.  https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-199109000-00010
  55. Nadorff MR, Nazem S, Fiske A. Insomnia symptoms, nightmares, and suicidal ideation in a college student sample. Sleep. 2011;34(1):93-98.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/34.1.93
  56. Liu X. Sleep and adolescent suicidal behavior. Sleep. 2004;27(7):1351-1358. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/27.7.1351
  57. Li SX, Yu MWM, Lam SP, et al. Frequent nightmares in children:familial aggregation and associations with parent-reported behavioral and mood problems. Sleep. 2011;34(4):487-493.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/34.4.487
  58. Becker A, Roessner V, Breuer D, et al. Relationship between quality of life and psychopathological profile:data from an observational study in children with ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2011;20(2):267-275.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0204-2
  59. Escobar R, Soutullo, CA, Hervas A, et al. Worse quality of life for children with newly diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, compared with asthmatic and healthy children. Pediatrics. 2005;116(3):364-369.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-0386
  60. Gursky JT, Krahn LE. The effects of antidepressants on sleep:a review. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2000;8(6):298-306. 
  61. Haavisto M. How drugs and herbs affect dreams: medications and supplements can cause vivid dreams and nightmares. 2008. https://www.suite101.com/content/how-drugs-and-herbs-affect-dreams-a75945
  62. Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1981;30(2):239-245.  https://doi.org/10.1038/clpt.1981
  63. Pagel JF. Pharmacological changes in sleep and dreams — clinical basis for the use of electrophysiologicaland sleep sleep effects of psychoactive drugs. Human Psychopharmacol Clin Experimental. 1996;11(3):217-223. 
  64. Instructions for the medical use of the drug Nervohel, sublingual homeopathic tablets LP-№(000222)-(RG-RU)-120521 from 12.05.2021. (In Russ.).
  65. Khachatryan LG, Bykova OV, Nikitina ED, Kasanabe EV. Methods for correcting neurotic manifestations in children. Rossijsky Medicinskiy Journal. 2016;24:1634-1638. (In Russ.).
  66. van den Meerschaut L, Sünder A. The homeopathic preparation Nervoheel N can offer an alternative to lorazepam therapy for mild nervous disorders. Evidence Based. Complement Alternatern Med. 2009;6(4):507-515.  https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem144
  67. Poluektov MG, Pchelina PV. Possibilities of correcting insomnia without the use of sleeping pills. Lechaschiy Vrach = Attending doctor. 2014;5:14-18. (In Russ.).
  68. Mitchell MD, Gehrman P, Perlis M, et al. Comparative effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia:a systematic review. BMC Fam Pract. 2012;13(1):1-11.  https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-13-40
  69. Riemann D, Nissen, C, Palagini, L, et al. The neurobiology, investigation, and treatment of chronic insomnia. The Lancet Neurology. 2015;14(5):547-558.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00021-6
  70. Morin CM, Colecchi C, Stone J, et al. Behavioral and pharmacological therapies for late-life insomnia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1999;281(11):991-999.  https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.281.11.991
  71. Krakow B, Kellner, R Neidhardt J, et al. Imagery rehearsal treatment of chronic nightmares:with a thirty month follow-up. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1993;24(4):325-330.  https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(93)90057-4
  72. Thünker J, Pietrowsky R. Effectiveness of a manualized imagery rehearsal therapy for patients suffering from nightmare disorders with and without a comorbidity of depression or PTSD. Behav Res Ther. 2012;50(9):558-564.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.05.006
  73. Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Working Group [Internet]. VA/DOD clinical practice guideline for management of post-traumatic stress. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense; 2010. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/ptsd/ptsd_full.pdf
  74. Reist C, Streja E, Tang CC, et al. Prazosin for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder:a systematic review and meta-analysis. CNS Spectrums. 2021;26(4):338-344.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S1092852920001121
  75. Morgenthaler TI, Auerbach S, Casey, KR, et al. Position paper for the treatment of nightmare disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position paper. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(6):1041-1055. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7178
Contact the author
Email
Message
The publishing house "Media Sphere" does not provide treatment services, does not give recommendations on contacting medical institutions and specific specialists, on the prescription of medicines and dietary supplements.

Email Confirmation

An email was sent to test@gmail.com with a confirmation link. Follow the link from the letter to complete the registration on the site.

Email Confirmation

Contact us
If you have any questions, complaints or suggestions, please use this feedback form.
Email
Message
The publishing house "Media Sphere" does not provide treatment services, does not give recommendations on contacting medical institutions and specific specialists, on the prescription of medicines and dietary supplements.
Submit Application

You can become an author of one of our magazines, send a request and we will consider it in during the day.

Name
Phone
E-mail
Message
Login
Registration
E-mail
Password
Forgot Password?

Log in to the site using your account in one of the services

Password recovery
E-mail
Login
Register

We use cооkies to improve the performance of the site. By staying on our site, you agree to the terms of use of cооkies. To view our Privacy and Cookie Policy, please. click here.