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Dreams and exposure therapy in PTSD.

B O Rothbaum1, T A Mellman

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. brothba@emory.edu

Journal of Traumatic Stress
|September 6, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Exposure therapy for PTSD involves recounting trauma. Nightmares, while distressing, do not fulfill therapeutic exposure requirements for healing from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often treated with exposure therapy.
  • Nightmares are a common and distressing symptom of PTSD, potentially worsening the condition.
  • A paradox exists between therapeutic exposure and trauma-related nightmares during sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review exposure therapy and sleep literature in PTSD.
  • To examine the relationship between therapeutic exposure and dream content.
  • To clarify the role of nightmares in PTSD recovery.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of exposure therapy for PTSD.
  • Analysis of studies on sleep and PTSD.
  • Examination of the connection between waking and dreaming exposure to trauma.

Main Results:

  • Nightmares that replicate trauma and disrupt sleep do not constitute therapeutic exposure.
  • Some forms of dreaming may contribute to trauma recovery.
  • Distinguishing between therapeutic and non-therapeutic dream exposure is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • Nightmares in PTSD do not fulfill the criteria for effective exposure therapy.
  • Certain dream processes might support healing from trauma.
  • Further research is needed to understand the nuances of dreaming in PTSD treatment.

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