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Nightmares: Under-Reported, Undetected, and Therefore Untreated.
Michael R Nadorff1,2, Danielle K Nadorff1, Anne Germain3
1Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
Summary
Few individuals with significant nightmare symptoms discuss them with healthcare providers, and even fewer believe nightmares are treatable. This underreporting likely contributes to the underutilization of effective nightmare treatments.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Nightmares are significant predictors of suicidality and poor psychiatric outcomes.
- Despite their impact, nightmare screening and treatment are underutilized in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of individuals with nightmares who discuss them with healthcare providers.
- To explore reasons for low rates of nightmare complaints to clinicians.
Main Methods:
- Two studies surveyed US community and university student samples (n=809 and n=747).
- Participants reported discussing nightmares with healthcare providers and beliefs about treatability.
Main Results:
- Only 37.8% (Study 1) and 11.1% (Study 2) of participants with significant nightmares reported discussing them with a healthcare provider.
- Less than one-third believed nightmares were treatable.
- Higher nightmare severity correlated with reporting nightmares but also with lower beliefs in treatability.
Conclusions:
- Nightmares are infrequently reported to healthcare providers, contributing to treatment underutilization.
- Given the adverse outcomes linked to nightmares, routine screening is recommended.
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