Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep-related hallucinations, sleep paralysis, fragmented sleep, and cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions) are symptoms of narcolepsy.
People who have narcolepsy, more frequently than the general population, often experience vivid, frightening dreams more frequently. Studies have shown the frequency of nightmares in individuals with narcolepsy varies. Lucid dreaming is more common among this group as well.
Treatments for nightmares often include therapy techniques like counseling, imagery rehearsal therapy, systematic desensitization, or stress management. These methods focus on addressing underlying causes, reshaping frightening dream outcomes, reducing emotional responses to distressing content, and lowering stress levels to improve sleep quality.
Be sure to come back for next month’s blog where we will discuss a recent study by Northwestern Medicine researchers along with the therapies used to help treat the nightmares.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (sleepeducation.org)