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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment for nightmares isn't usually necessary. If the nightmares are associated with an underlying medical or mental health condition, treatment is aimed at the underlying problem. If stress or anxiety seems to be contributing to the nightmares, your doctor may suggest stress-reduction techniques, counseling or therapy.
Medication is rarely used to treat nightmares. However, medications that reduce REM sleep or reduce awakenings during sleep may be recommended if you have severe sleep disturbance.
- Nightmares and other disturbing parasomnias. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. http://www.aasmnet.org..ces/FactSheets/NightmareParasom.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Nightmares. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=37. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Sleepiness diary. National Sleep Foundation. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Simard V, et al. Longitudinal study of bad dreams in preschool-aged children: Prevalence, demographic correlates, risk and protective factors. Sleep. 2008;31:62.
