Everyone will have experienced a nightmare at some point in their life, but regular nightmares can cause a number of complications. There are various reasons as to why individuals suffer nightmares. A past traumatic event or violent encounters can trigger nightmares. Another common cause of nightmares is fear. People who have a fear of death may experience nightmares. A fear of spiders is also thought to be a common cause of nightmares. Individuals that suffer nightmares regularly may feel stressed, anxious or depressed. Sweating and shaking are common signs that an individual has suffered a nightmare. In more extreme cases, the individual may suffer breathing difficulties or experience extreme feelings of sadness or loneliness. Children often wake up crying or screaming after a nightmare and will seek comfort in a parent. Severe nightmares can cause individuals, particularly children, to experience difficulty distinguishing between the dream and reality. Those who experience vivid nightmares may often need reassurance that the dream is not reality. Adults will usually be able to reassure themselves but children may need plenty of reassurance from parents and may be difficult to comfort after a vivid nightmare. Fears and life experiences can cause regular vivid nightmares to occur. Warm baths or showers, relaxing music and avoiding eating before bed are methods that are thought to help reduce the risk of nightmares. Consulting a doctor or confiding in a family member or close friend can help overcome nightmares that are caused by a past traumatic event or a past event that is unresolved. Avoiding anything containing horror, such as horror novels or films before bed can also reduce the risk of nightmares. If the nightmares continue, then medical assistance may be required. Keeping a dream diary will give an idea of how often the nightmares are occurring. Individuals that are experiencing the same nightmare on a regular basis should keep note of regular themes within the dreams to help them identify why the dreams may be occurring.
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