Can nightmares cause insomnia?

I would like to know what is common between nightmares, night terrors, and insomnia? Like, how they are all connected with each other? Also, can a loved one being stressed or having sleeping troubles affect my sleeping?

Doctors Answers (3)

Daron Scherr, MD, DABSM
Answered on: 4/5/2013 1

Nightmares are thinking during REM sleep that is upsetting and remembered upon awakening.

Night Terrors is difficulty with your brain transitioning from deep non-REM sleep to REM sleep. It causes a big "adrenaline" surge and both confused/terrified wake and sleep behaviors at the same time.

Insomnia is difficulty sleeping or non-rejuvenating sleep.

Yes, sleep problems of a loved one can affect your sleep.

J. Douglas Hudson, MD, DABSM
Answered on: 2/18/2013

Yes, nightmares can cause insomnia. This generally occurs if they awaken you but just the fear of having them can cause you to have trouble falling asleep. Nightmares usually occur during REM or dream sleep whereas night terrors usually occur during deeper stages of sleep and may be associated with screaming. Except for the connections noted above there is generally no association between nightmares and night terrors and insomnia. The stress of a loved one being stressed can affect your sleep. In fact, any stress can affect your sleep. This does not mean that it is a psychological disorder as stress can also affect most medical disorders including infections, diabetes, arthritis and so forth.

Vector Sleep Diagnostics Center
Answered on: 2/13/2013

Nightmares could be just "bad dreams" or a specific sleep disorder- parasomnia. Parasomnias may be in a form of nightmares, sleep terrors or confusional arousals -patients may wake up confused/ screaming or appear to be awake when they are not. Nightmares-whether they are just dreams or a sleep disorder-may disrupt normal sleep-wake cycle and create a perception of inadequate sleep or insomnia. There are a lot factors that may trigger insomnia or prevent it from resolving quickly (like temporary jet leg insomnia). This includes bedroom environment and bedroom partner problems are certainly very important (snoring, insomnia, stress etc). The best approach to sort these things out is to consult with a sleep disorder specialist.