If you get nightmares, you're not alone. Almost everyone has nightmares from time to time. But some things can contribute to having bad dreams a lot.
For some people, medicines, alcohol, drugs, lack of sleep, fever, or anxiety sometimes cause nightmares. Often, though, nightmares seem to be triggered by emotional issues at home or school, major life changes (such as a move), trauma, and stress — even if what happens in the nightmares seems unrelated to your life.
Try to eliminate bad dreams by:
In rare cases, a medical problem may cause sleep disturbances — and for that, a visit with your doctor is the way to go.
If something is really bothering you, if you're anxious or fearful, or if you continue to have bad nightmares, look into seeing a counselor or a psychologist. Getting to the root of an emotional problem could solve the nightmare problem.
Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD
Date Reviewed: Jun 10, 2023
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