Her nightmares disappeared. It involves learning to navigate the inner world. That doesn't automatically translate to the outer world, but it's a good first step. As the association meets for its annual conference this week in Santa Cruz, Calif., psychiatrists and psychologists will learn more about nightmare therapy and how it can be used. Signs of Chronic Nightmare Disorder Disturbing or unpleasant dreams at least every week or every month.
Sleep is disturbed by bad dreams.
Anxiety and fear about going to sleep due to concern about having a bad dream. Symptoms have lasted six months or longer. Dr. Barry Krakow, the New Mexico psychiatrist who treated the engineering student, tested imagery rehearsal on a group of approximately 200 sexual assault survivors who suffered from chronic nightmares. He's now compiling the results and will discuss his work at the conference. In Krakow's clinic, patients meet for three three-hour group sessions where they talk about their nightmares and come up with alternate endings.