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Snoring and anxiety dreams
J H de Groen1, W Op den Velde, J E Hovens
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Sleep
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Elderly men with post-traumatic stress disorder who snored experienced more anxiety dreams, especially with breathing pauses during sleep. This suggests a link between sleep apnea and anxiety dreams in this population.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in elderly males exposed to wartime stress.
- Snoring and associated sleep disturbances are common in older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between snoring and anxiety dreams in elderly males with a history of excessive wartime stress.
- To explore potential underlying mechanisms linking sleep disturbances to psychological distress.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of elderly males with documented excessive wartime stress.
- Assessment of current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
- Correlation analysis between snoring, respiratory pauses during sleep, and anxiety dream occurrence, controlling for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between snoring and anxiety dreams in 56% of participants with current PTSD.
- Anxiety dream incidence was highest when snoring was accompanied by respiratory pauses.
- This association remained significant regardless of sedative, antidepressant, smoking, alcohol, or coffee use.
Conclusions:
- Snoring, particularly when associated with respiratory pauses (suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea), is linked to anxiety dreams in elderly males with PTSD.
- Hypercapnia and autonomic arousal during obstructive sleep apnea episodes may underlie this association.
- Further polysomnographic studies are recommended to confirm these findings and elucidate the pathophysiology.