Possible Sleep Disorder?

by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious

Question by Tabitha: Possible Sleep Disorder? Is there a name for a mental condition characterized by dreams about loved ones dying, suicide, and other tragedies regardless of foods eaten or not eaten before bed, time of month, etc? I mean a condition that affects only the dreams- dreams similar to something a depressed person would have, but the person is not depressed?

Best answer:

Answer by Alisa Lagrange
No there is no sleep disorder like that. Most sleep disorders relate to waking/sleeping patterns, abnormal sleep rhythms and abnormal sleep activities. The only sleep disorder that involves dreams are Night Terrors. But the definition of a night terror involves being conscious but unaware, and a lack of memory of the event. Since you remember what you dream, it can't be that. Not much is known about why we dream, and what triggers bad dreams; but sometimes stress, overwork, worry or watching violent movies etc can cause bad dreams. Some people also think we express our basic fears in our dreams. So if you fear losing a family member or experiencing a tragedy, then maybe it's coming out in what you dream.

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