Interest in Information about Nightmares in Patients with Sleep Disorders.

Abstract

Despite the considerable prevalence of the nightmare disorder and its burden on the patient, nightmares are underdiagnosed and undertreated, even in sleep centers. A total of 1,125 patients in a sleep center undergoing routine diagnostic procedures for their sleep disorders completed a questionnaire about nightmares. About 20% of the sample indicated an interest in more information about nightmare etiology and nightmare therapy-even patients who had never sought professional help previously. From a clinical viewpoint, health care professionals should be encouraged to ask about nightmares and, as a first step, internet-based self-help programs should be implemented for this patient group.