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Does anxiety cause bad dreams? What do psychologists say?

Shkruar nga Anabel

10 Maj 2024

Does anxiety cause bad dreams? What do psychologists say?
PHOTO: Getty | Oleg Breslavtsev

It happens that bad dreams reflect things that you experienced during the day or happened in the real world. But it seems that these dreams can also be related to anxiety and the "mess" of thoughts in your head just before sleep.

Here's what psychologists think about the impact of anxiety on your dreams.

-Can anxiety cause bad dreams?

"Anxious thoughts while one is asleep can manifest as bad dreams or stress dreams," says psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu. Stress dreams, such as missing an important event, an exam or a plane flight, are often quite common in people who are subjected to stress in their daily lives.On the other hand, this mental activity can also activate the body towards an uncomfortable state during sleep.

Although the reasons why we dream are not fully understood, there may be times when your mind is simply trying to cope with a challenge from the day, which can make you feel anxious. "We know from research that the brain continues to work on problem-solving during sleep," says Jason Durant, MD, a psychologist.

In this sense, dreaming as a process can be a good thing, even if it feels like having nightmares or experiencing the stress you felt during the day or your everyday life. The mind is trying to remind you what didn't work and try something new. There really are no "bad dreams". Whatever comes to your mind at night is for your own good, not to torture or frighten you, but to find a solution of the moment.

Of course, if anxiety or bad dreams affect the quality and hours of sleep so much, then when is the time to seek help. A conversation with a therapist, doctor or psychiatrist about your concerns can be a valuable solution.

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Source: Pop Sugar