Why Do We Have Nightmares?
Like all dreams, nightmares are part of complex brain functions and help processthoughts, emotions, and memory. When we have high levels of anxiety or stress, they more commonly manifest as bad dreams because that is what is at the forefront of our minds.
However, there are a whole host of strange causes for nightmares. The medication we take, withdrawal from alcohol, and even the snacks we have before bed can influence the scary episodes we have during sleep. Or it may just be that scary movie you watched that is trapped in your memory.
But why do some people have nightmares every night? A systematic review of nightmares in psychiatric patients found that 70% of people with mental health issues such as bipolar, psychotic disorders, and major depressive disorder have chronic nightmares, further highlighting the link between mental distress and bad dreams.
