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Photo by Peter Bernik via Stocksy

Like around 5 percent of the UK population, I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. When I was a kid I would worry about certain things-usually catastrophic in scale but blown entirely out of proportion-When I was ten, I learned about comets at a museum. For weeks, I'd lie awake at night worrying that a comet might be heading on a collision course with Earth. As a teenager I believed I suffered from every incredibly rare and fatal disease I saw on TV. These days my anxiety manifests in a way that's much harder to explain to people who haven't experienced it: Imagine a sort of mild feeling of dread, a bit like the fear you get when you're hungover and know you did something but don't know what. That, but basically all the time.

I'm lucky that my anxiety is moderate enough for me to handle it without medication; I rely on regular exercise, not drinking too much, and just keeping tabs on my own mental state on a regular basis. But when it gets really bad, there's one instant fix that makes me feel better: a horror film. The gorier, darker, and more disturbing, the better. Last week I watched Would You Rather, a low-budget plotless gore-fest with a Netflix rating of two-and-half stars. The cover image is of an razor blade right next to somebody's eye, about to slice into it. You get the idea.

When I first noticed the effectiveness of this unconventional way of coping with anxiety, I pretty much freaked out: What was I, some kind of psychopath who derives comfort from the suffering of others? Is it just me? I asked on /r/anxiety, the Reddit forum for the topic. Is there something wrong with me?
Read more: 'They Wished I Was Dead': How 'The Blair Witch Project' Still Haunts Its Cast

While horror films aren't a true alternative to seeking medical help if you need it, I was nevertheless inundated with responses from people saying they'd noticed the same thing. "I too have noticed horror movies make me feel better," said one user. "It creates a different anxiety, an anxiety that isn't about me, ya know?"

"YES!" another said. "I think it's because you're scared/anxious for a real reason."

"I become worried about whether someone's going to break in or I'm going to see a ghost," confirmed one Redditor, "versus whatever silly thing I had been worried about earlier."

To find out why some anxious people like me are self-medicating with horror movies, I spoke to Dr. Mathias Clasen from Aarhus University in Denmark. He's been studying the psychological effects of horror movies for 15 years. "Exposure to horror films can be gratifying when the negative emotions caused by the film are manageable," Dr. Clasen explained. "Moreover, there's psychological distance when we watch a horror film. We know it's not real-or at least, some parts of our brain know it isn't real. Other parts-ancient structures located in the limbic system-respond as though it were real."

He explained that this creates a flight or fight response, but confines it to a controlled environment. "I'm not surprised to learn that some anxious individuals find horror films therapeutic," he said. "The genre allows us to voluntarily-and under controlled circumstances-get experience with negative emotion."

Dr. Clasen reassured me that I wasn't about to spiral out of control into a Freddy Krueger-style spree, but his theories didn't really explain why feeling afraid was having the paradoxical result of making me feel calmer in the long run. On another forum, socialanxiety.com, one user theorized, "The adrenaline makes me forget [my anxiety] for a while."

Was I steeling myself against my real fears by exposing myself to them in the form of onscreen serial killers?

When an anxious person watches a horror movie, are we binging on low-level anxiety as a form of psychological inoculation against the real thing? Or are we basically just mainlining adrenaline? Dr. Maria Ironside is conducting research at Oxford University into anxiety and depression using something called non-invasive brain stimulation. In effect, she passes small, harmless electrical currents through the brains of her volunteers and records the effects on groups with and without anxiety. I asked her what's actually going on in my brain when I feel anxious, scientifically speaking. "There's a part of the brain that is largely thought to signal danger," Dr. Ironside says. "This is called the amygdala. Studies have shown that people with high trait anxiety-[meaning] very anxious people-and anxiety disorders have a hyperactive amygdala, compared to healthy people."

I asked Dr. Ironside her opinion on the theories about anxiety and adrenaline. Could my reaction to horror movies be explained this way? Was I steeling myself against my real fears by exposing myself to them in the form of onscreen serial killers? "Research shows that if people repeatedly see a picture of a fearful face in an experiment, their amygdala reaction to this decreases over time. In exposure therapy for phobias, patients are exposed to the source of their phobia (e.g., closed spaces or spiders), and, over time 'learn' that it is not associated with a negative outcome and hence become less fearful of it. This is similar to your scary movie idea, though I'm not sure it would work as I think this kind of approach needs to be more targeted to specific fears."

I've always loved horror, since back when I was that nervous, paranoid kid. My favorite sleepovers were at the house of a friend with an older brother and a pile of VHS tapes: Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, Halloween. All watched with the sound down low, in case her parents came into the room and caught us, sitting really close to the screen, wrapped up in our sleeping bags and feeling like conspirators.
Read more: 'Perverting the Youth of America': The Oral History of Teen Classic 'Jawbreaker'

Steph Hovey, an assistant psychologist at the Tavistock Centre and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, told me that "anxiety can develop from experiences in our childhood which affect the way we see the world as adults." So perhaps, for me, a horror movie is about confronting fear, in a safe environment and with the help of somebody I trust. "Memories of enjoying horror movies with friends when you were younger could be helping you to deal with your anxiety by stopping you from overreacting. Because you've encountered these feelings of nervousness and fear before, but know that nothing bad actually happened, you may be more equipped to deal with these feelings now."

According to Anxiety UK, anxiety is on the rise: 12.8 percent more people are diagnosed with the condition today than they were 14 years ago. With so much to worry about in today's world, from viral pandemics to international terrorism to Brexit and Trump, this hardly seems surprising.

A couple of years ago, my housemate, George, and I embarked on a Saw marathon. We watched every movie back to back over a weekend. It was so much fun a few weekends later we did the same thing again with the Paranormal Activity franchise. It became our little tradition. It figures that watching a horror movie with someone else is a bonding experience. Like going on a rollercoaster, or eating an incredibly hot curry, it's something slightly crazy but basically entirely safe that you feel like you "got through" together. I may never find out why horror movies work for me, but in an increasingly scary world, knowing you can get through something frightening-even if it was entirely fictional-can be oddly soothing.

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Why Some Anxious People Find Comfort in Horror Movies

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Photo by Peter Bernik via Stocksy Like around 5 percent of the UK population, I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. When I was a kid I would worry about certain things-usually catastrophic in scale but blown entirely out of proportion-When I was ten, I learned about comets at a museum.

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Overview

A nightmare is a disturbing dream associated with negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear that awakens you. Nightmares are common in children, but can happen at any age, and occasional nightmares usually are nothing to worry about.

Nightmares may begin in children between 3 and 6 years old and tend to decrease after the age of 10. During the teen and young adult years, girls appear to have nightmares more often than boys do. Some people have them as adults or throughout their lives.

Although nightmares are common, nightmare disorder is relatively rare. Nightmare disorder is when nightmares happen often, cause distress, disrupt sleep, cause problems with daytime functioning or create fear of going to sleep.

Symptoms

You're more likely to have a nightmare in the second half of your night. Nightmares may occur rarely or more frequently, even several times a night. Episodes are generally brief, but they cause you to awaken, and returning to sleep can be difficult.

A nightmare may involve these features:

Your dream seems vivid and real and is very upsetting, often becoming more disturbing as the dream unfolds

Your dream storyline is usually related to threats to safety or survival, but it can have other disturbing themes

Your dream awakens you

You feel scared, anxious, angry, sad or disgusted as a result of your dream

You feel sweaty or have a pounding heartbeat while in bed

You can think clearly upon awakening and can recall details of your dream

Your dream causes distress that keeps you from falling back to sleep easily

Nightmares are only considered a disorder if you experience:

Frequent occurrences

Major distress or impairment during the day, such as anxiety or persistent fear, or bedtime anxiety about having another nightmare

Problems with concentration or memory, or you can't stop thinking about images from your dreams

Daytime sleepiness, fatigue or low energy

Problems functioning at work or school or in social situations

Behavior problems related to bedtime or fear of the dark

Having a child with nightmare disorder can cause significant sleep disturbance and distress for parents or caregivers.

When to see a doctor

Occasional nightmares aren't usually a cause for concern. If your child has nightmares, you can simply mention them at a routine well-child exam. However, consult your doctor if nightmares:

Occur frequently and persist over time

Routinely disrupt sleep

Cause fear of going to sleep

Cause daytime behavior problems or difficulty functioning

Causes

Nightmare disorder is referred to by doctors as a parasomnia - a type of sleep disorder that involves undesirable experiences that occur while you're falling asleep, during sleep or when you're waking up. Nightmares usually occur during the stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM). The exact cause of nightmares is not known.

Nightmares can be triggered by many factors, including:

Stress or anxiety. Sometimes the ordinary stresses of daily life, such as a problem at home or school, trigger nightmares. A major change, such as a move or the death of a loved one, can have the same effect. Experiencing anxiety is associated with a greater risk of nightmares.

Trauma. Nightmares are common after an accident, injury, physical or sexual abuse, or other traumatic event. Nightmares are common in people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sleep deprivation. Changes in your schedule that cause irregular sleeping and waking times or that interrupt or reduce the amount of sleep can increase your risk of having nightmares. Insomnia is associated with an increased risk of nightmares.

Medications. Some drugs - including certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, beta blockers, and drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease or to help stop smoking - can trigger nightmares.

Substance abuse. Alcohol and recreational drug use or withdrawal can trigger nightmares.

Other disorders. Depression and other mental health disorders may be linked to nightmares. Nightmares can happen along with some medical conditions, such as heart disease or cancer. Having other sleep disorders that interfere with adequate sleep can be associated with having nightmares.

Scary books and movies. For some people, reading scary books or watching frightening movies, especially before bed, can be associated with nightmares.

Risk factors

Nightmares are more common when family members have a history of nightmares or other sleep parasomnias, such as talking during sleep.

Complications

Nightmare disorder may cause:

Excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to difficulties at school or work, or problems with everyday tasks, such as driving and concentrating

Problems with mood, such as depression or anxiety from dreams that continue to bother you

Resistance to going to bed or to sleep for fear you'll have another bad dream

Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

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Nightmare disorder - Symptoms and causes

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Nightmare disorder involves disturbing or scary dreams that awaken you, causing distress or preventing adequate sleep.

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The University Record, March 29, 1999

Scary movies can have lasting effects on children and teens, study says

By Bernie DeGroat
News and Information Services

One in four college students in a recent study said they experience lingering effects of a frightful movie or TV experience from childhood. These effects range from inability to sleep to avoidance of situations portrayed in those movies. File photo

While the short-term effects of watching horror movies or other films and television programs with disturbing content are well-documented among children and teens, a new U-M study shows that long-term effects can linger even into adulthood.
In their study "Tales from the Screen: Enduring Fright Reactions to Scary Media," U-M researcher Kristen Harrison and colleague Joanne Cantor of the University of Wisconsin found that 90 percent of the study's participants (more than 150 college students at Michigan and Wisconsin) reported a media fright reaction from childhood or adolescence. Moreover, about 26 percent still experience a "residual anxiety" today.

"This may not be surprising, but the proportion of participants--one in four--who reported fright effects that they were still experiencing indicates that these responses should be of major concern," says Harrison, assistant professor of communication studies. "These effects were more serious than jumpiness at a slammed door or the need to use a nightlight. They ranged from an inability to sleep through the night for months after exposure, to steadfast and continuing avoidance of the situations portrayed in the programs and movies."

The researchers, whose study will appear in a forthcoming issue of the journal Media Psychology, found that 52 percent of the sample reported disturbances in normal behavior such as sleeping or eating after viewing a frightening film or TV program. More than a third avoided or dreaded the depicted situation in their own lives, and nearly a fourth reported obsessive thinking or talking about the frightening stimulus.

While more than one-fourth of the study's participants still experience such aftermath, the duration of the effects--both past and present--range from less than a week (about 33 percent of the sample) to more than a year (about 36 percent).

According to the study, a wide range of symptoms were reported, including crying or screaming (27 percent of participants), trembling or shaking (24 percent), nausea or stomach pain (20 percent), clinging to a companion (18 percent), increased heart rate (18 percent), freezing or feeling of paralysis (17 percent) and fear of losing control (11 percent), as well as sweating, chills or fever, fear of dying, shortness of breath, feeling of unreality, dizziness or faintness, and numbness (all less than 10 percent each).

"It appears, then, that the physical and emotional fright reactions our sample experienced in reaction to media stimuli are very similar to those typically experienced in reaction to real-life stimuli, a finding that is consistent with the principle of stimulus generalization," Harrison says.

Harrison and Cantor categorized the phobia-producing stimuli into five areas: animal (animals, insects, reptiles, animal-like aliens, etc.); environmental (fires, floods, earthquakes, storms, water, nuclear holocaust and other environmental threats); blood/injection/injury (blood, gore, injury, pain, wounds, needles and other physical threats to living things); situational (heights, enclosed spaces and circumscribed situations like doctors' offices); and disturbing sounds/distorted images (loud noises, distorted faces, etc.).

The most frequently reported type they found is blood/injection/injury (reported by 65 percent of the sample). One participant said that in the movie Jaws, it was not the shark or actual deaths that was frightening, but the blood.

"For about two months after the movie, I had nightmares about blood," the participant said. "The nightmares didn't always involve sharks, but always contained gross amounts of blood. To this day, I remain horrified of blood."

Harrison says that it is not clear whether this type of stimulus was mentioned most frequently because it is inherently more frightening than the other types, is the most common stimulus found in the mass media or, for some reason, is recalled more easily.

"In any case, the ubiquity of blood and gore in the U.S. media should be cause for concern regarding its potential for causing enduring fright reactions in children," she says.

Disturbing sounds/distorted images is the other most common type of fright stimulus found in films and TV programming (reported by 60 percent of participants). One participant was scared by the heavy breathing of the killer in the film Halloween, while several others found the suspenseful music in Jaws frightening.

The other three classes of stimuli were reported by a minority of the sample: situational (33 percent), animal (12 percent) and environmental (9 percent).

According to Harrison and Cantor, the younger the study's participants were when they viewed a scary movie and TV program, the longer-lasting the effects. In addition, their data provide little support for the popular notion that children who like thrilling media genres will be better able to handle their effects than children who do not like them.

Further, the average duration of fright effects for participants who watched frightening media because someone else was watching or wanted to watch was significantly higher than the duration for those who sought out the film or program themselves.

"The enduring fright reactions reported in this study were not the product of strange or unusual viewing circumstances," Harrison says. "Considering the abundance of graphically violent content in movies and on premium cable television channels, as well as the tendency for younger family members to go along with older members' media choices, it is not surprising that enduring fright effects from scary media were prevalent in our sample."

Finally, regardless of what frightened them as children, the study's participants appeared to know which coping strategies worked best for them, the researchers say. For example, those younger at exposure relied more heavily on behavioral coping strategies (covering their eyes, leaving the room, hugging a pillow), while those older at the time of viewing used cognitive strategies (reassuring oneself that "it's just a movie" or "this could never happen in real life").

"Many adults have learned to recognize the types of stimuli that frighten them and can choose movies and programs carefully to avoid such content," Harrison says. "Given that very young children may not yet know what types of stimuli frighten them most, and that they do not enjoy the power to choose which media the family will view, they are in special need of protection from exposure to such scary stimuli before coping strategies are necessary.

"It is reasonable to recommend that we pay closer attention to the potential media stimuli may have for creating long-lasting fears of the surrounding world, fears that can interfere with normal functioning. Given that normal functioning of children is an essential goal of child-rearing, parents should be aware of the types of media that may contribute to enduring fright effects in their children."

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Scary movies can have lasting effects on children and teens, study says

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The University Record, March 29, 1999 By Bernie DeGroatNews and Information Services One in four college students in a recent study said they experience lingering effects of a frightful movie or TV experience from childhood. These effects range from inability to sleep to avoidance of situations portrayed in those movies.

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Clowns, zombies and ghosts - oh my! October is upon us which means movie theaters and living rooms are echoing with the sounds of scary movies. Whether you're watching Nightmare on Elm Street or Carrie, your body has distinctive physiological reactions to the sights and sounds of these films.

While many people enjoy having their hearts race or clutching the seat in suspense, they find themselves scared long after the movie ends. That's because the brain is wired to treat what it sees as real. It is very difficult to tell the primitive brain to ignore the reality of what it is seeing. Specifically, if the images appear to be real and terrifying, the brain tells the body to react accordingly.

Here's how your brain and body react when you push play:

Your Brain: Horror movies can trigger a reaction in those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In rare instances, watching these films can also cause PTSD. Since the brain cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality, memories that relate to a situation shown in a movie that contain elements of a previously traumatic situation can trigger a response. Anxiety can also be an effect of watching scary movies, especially when children are exposed to them at a young age. Physical reactions to terrifying images can include sweaty palms, tense muscles, a drop in skin temperature, a spike in blood pressure and an increased heart rate.

Although horror movies do not directly impact the brain in a positive way, they can have a desensitization effect. If a person repeatedly watches this genre of movies, they repeatedly expose themselves to these threatening images and over time become less emotionally reactive to the images. This can result in lower levels of anxiety and fear.

Your Heart: Just like other adrenaline-raising activities, watching scary movies can increase your heart rate. These effects are not unlike what happens while doing other sensation-seeking activities like riding roller coasters or sky diving. Horror movies can even affect heart attack risk. If the physical and psychological response come together at exactly the right time, a heart attack can occur. Individuals with high blood pressure may be more at risk than others because heart attack and stroke are related to blood pressure.

Your Hormones: Watching horror movies releases dopamine and adrenaline. This release can actually trigger someone to faint or have a panic attack.

Your Behavior: Just like playing violent video games, watching a scary movie can prime aggressive behavior. Any activity that heightens emotional response, especially in someone who has difficulty controlling their emotions, can trigger an effect.

Do you feel any of these effects from watching a scary movie? What will you be watching this fall? Tell us in the comments.

If you liked this post, you might also like:

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What Happens to Your Body When You Watch a Scary Movie? | A Healthier Michigan

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Clowns, zombies and ghosts - oh my! October is upon us which means movie theaters and living rooms are echoing with the sounds of scary movies. Whether you're watching Nightmare on Elm Street or Carrie, your body has distinctive physiological reactions to the sights and sounds of these films. While many people enjoy having their hearts race or clutching the seat in suspense, they find themselves scared long after the movie ends.

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A nightmare is a dream that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that results in feelings of strong terror, fear, distress and extreme anxiety. Nightmares can happen to anyone at any given time of their lives. Generally your typical nightmare will evoke negative emotional responses from the mind, typically the anxious, fear or dread feeling. Nightmares and symbols in them... can be unconscious messages to the conscious alerting the dreamer to pay close attention to the meaning. Constant nightmares might be classified under a type of sleep disorder.

If nightmares persists on a regular basis that stop you from getting a healthy sleep, then it might be classified under a sleep disorder. Parasomnia falls under a nightmare or sleep disorder that involves a series of abnormal jerks, emotions, thoughts and behaviors while falling asleep, or during sleep stages. Most parasomnias are dissociated sleep states which are partial arousal's during the transitions between wakefulness and NREM non rapid eye movement sleep. It can occur during wakefulness and REM sleep as well.
Night Terror Vs Nightmare:
There is a misconception that night terrors and nightmares are the same thing. They might mimic nightmares but though they are completely different in nature. Sleep terrors can be classified under a parasomnia disorder where the individual can physically act out in their sleep by screaming, thrashing, or even crying. Occurrences of aggressive sleep walking have happened as the dreamer may attack a family member. The dreamer may experience difficulty trying to snap out of the dream state.
Sleep terrors usually occur with children under the age of nine, though, it can frequent adults who are under extreme stress, depression, or even bi polar disorder. Generally the movement can last anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes, either the individual will go right back to REM without ever disrupting their sleep state. If they do wake up from this state they will often encounter confusion or anxiety. The majority of sleep disturbances, occur in the stage before deep sleep that decrease.

Not all nightmares are bad. Nightmares have the ability to contain metaphoric messages to warn the dreamer of ignored internal idiocracies. Understanding the dream symbols might give the dreamer insight to what might be overlooked that could be causing distress. A nightmare might also be arise when dealing with a current stressful event. If nightmares continues on a nightly basis then it will fall under a nightmare disorder. These disorders can be the cause of many different factors which include PTSD, medication, illness, drugs and alcohol. Nightmares are more vivid then night terrors where the dreamer can snap out of REM knowing in full detail of the dream. Nightmares can occur at least once a month. Scientists say that children who suffer from nightmares are due to stressful events or deaths will be more inclined.
Nightmare Disorder:
Nightmare disorder or commonly referred to as a"dream anxiety disorder" considered a series of nightmares classified under the DSM -IV. These repeated awakenings during nightmares occur during the stages of REM sleep. During the dream the individual will experience intense fear as if they are fighting for their life. Most of the time they will wake up instantly due to the terror they are experiencing thus having trouble going back to sleep. During the episode the dreamer may experience speaking, moaning, screaming or moving at random. Though these symptoms may not always be present. When woken from the sleep state, the dreamer will often experience a feeling of anxiety as adrenaline is still pumping thought out their body. Nightmare disorders cause after effects as the individual will fear going back to bed to experience that same scenario. As a result one will be more likely to encounter a mild sleep deprivation, decreased mental clarity and depression. This can also lead to insomnia. There hasn't been a cure for nightmare disorders but their are many techniques to minimize them from occurring. Frequent yoga and mediation have been known to help reduce the cause as your body and mind to be in a more relaxed state.
Causes Of Nightmares:
Nightmares in adults are often spontaneous, but there are many factors that might increase the probability of them occurring. Some people might be affected by eating food or snacks right before sleep. Eating foods cause an increase to your metabolism that trigger the brain to become more alert. Eating certain foods such as cheese or caffeine before bed can increase the vividness in your dreams. Prescriptions medications have been known to increase dream vividness and nightmares. Taking illegal drugs or alcoholic substances have an increased chance of triggering nightmares. This can also occur if the individual is coming off medication, or if an addiction wears off. If you are experiencing a fluctuation of nightmares taking a new medication, talk to your doctor. Sleep deprivation is one of the major causes of nightmares. Reasons for lack of sleep include work, stress or depression. Sleep Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome can also contribute to nightmares. If you are suffering from lack of sleep we recommend you to consult your doctor.
Other Possible Causes of Nightmares:
- Experienced a death of a loved on or somebody close to you
- Quitting smoking, alcohol or going on the patch
- Consuming large amount of alcohol in blood stream
- Battling a illness or flu
- Having a Bad reaction to drugs or withdrawal
- Not dealing with an on going problems in your life
- High volumes of stress and anxiety
- Trauma from witnessing violence
Recurring Nightmares:
Nightmares are fairly common in both men and women, they can frequent as much as 2 times a month. Nightmares are perfectly normal once and a while, but once they become repetitious then you may want to investigate a bit further. Recurring nightmares might be linked to an unresolved unconscious problem. Nightmares act as red flags to get our attention on an important matter that is overlooked in our lives. Understanding the symbolic meaning of nightmares can better help you to bring light in a dark place. Recurring nightmares should be written down in a dream journal to better help decode the dream. Dreams and the symbols in them act as... a metaphoric language for you to decode. We are giving an opportunity via unconsciousness to show us where the ongoing problem may be in our lives. Recurring nightmares never go away until you fix your what issue you are facing.You can better help understand your dream at our forum.

Nightmares With Children:

Believe it or not nightmares are more common with children than adults. Roughly around one quarter of children have at least one scary dream or nightmare a week. Scary dreams can start as early as 2 to 3 years of age for a children. By the time they reach the age of 6 they may start to experience full on nightmares. Around the ages 10 and up, nightmares tend to subside and become less vivid. Children's nightmares typically involve frightening situations or events that revolve the people close to them. The types of nightmares contain images or bizarre events, the typical "monster or ghosts" theme. Children are generally quite during their nightmare and hardly move around like most adults.
How to Stop Nightmares With Children:
Unfortunately there is no cure to stop your child from having nightmares, though they can be prevented by using techniques that we provided below. Studies have proved that nightmares with kids are genetic and passed down from either member of the family. Though there are ways you can help take control to comfort your child from nightmares.

Play relaxing music for your child though out the night

Have them stay away from junk food and high sugar drinks

Train them to control their dreams. Tell your child what to day to monsters in the nightmare.

Read them a nice book and keep positive thoughts in their head before bed.

Talk to your kids and ask them what are there greatest fears and tackle them.

How To Stop Your Nightmares:

Understanding what underlining factors that might be causing your nightmares by examining your lifestyle. Has there been a build up of stress lately? Have you been taking any drugs that might be affecting your sleep? Analyzing what you nightmare means helps figure out what problems in your life you need to tackle.... If you sign up at our dream dictionary forum you would be able to get your nightmare dream analyzed for free.
Tips On How To Stop Nightmares:
Taking the time to relax before you go to bed is a start. You can practice each night 10 minutes of Yoga and breathing exercises right before bed. Listening to relaxing soothing music during sleep calms your whole mental being. Reports state that playing video games and watching negative images before bed will cause an increase of nightmares. Practicing lucid dreaming has been quite beneficial when it comes to manipulating your dream settings. You can make the bad guy go away in a blink of an eye.

There is not much you can do when you just had a nightmare, though paying attention to the symbols in them will give you a better understanding on what your unconscious is hinting at. Keeping a dream journal helps you remember the dream in more detail. Find out and post what your nightmare means at our Dream Dictionary Nightmare Forum.

Taking good care of your body goes a long way. Eating healthy has more benefits then just feeling well. You will experience peaceful sleeps and less snoring. This in turn will help cut your chances of nightmares.
Forum Nightmare Dreams:
"In my dream I woke up feeling that something terrible was about to happen - as I lay in bed I became very very cold and I knew that someone was going to come into my room. The door opened and I was terrified, my heart was beating fast and I could not move a muscle. The ghost of a little girl approached my bed and knelt down before me. I could not see her face, she was featureless and she was very distressed. I tried to speak to her asking what she wanted from me but my voice would not come out. All of a sudden she stood up and got into bed with me. She was crying and told me that she had to be somewhere but did not know where and was frightened, she wanted company and for me to help her. She looked absolutely soaking wet and was shivering. Despite being absolutely petrified and unable to speak I felt compelled to hug her and began crying as I leaned forward to take her in my arms. I really did not want to touch her because I was terrified she would do something horrible. She smelled strongly of stagnant pond water and I was repulsed by her. I found I could not breathe. I became hysterical but nevertheless put the duvet around her and hugged her sobbing as i did so. She put her arms round my neck and tucked her head under my chin and as she did so I felt the type of burn you would associate with frost and ice. It was so painful. Instantly we both shot up into the dark night sky. I held onto her tightly and we sped through space at breakneck speed. Then a screen - like that of a computer appeared in front of me and on it was instructions directing me that I had to let go - if not I would not be able to return home. I became aware of how clean the air was and I began to prize the arms of the ghost girl from around my neck although I did not really want to - immediately she was gone and I was alone and for a split second, felt at peace. At that point, I really did not care if I lived or died - I was expecting to fall but did not experience a sense of falling. Then, I woke up, still cold, frightened and I felt that this had really happened. I could not convince myself that I had been dreaming.
I have never ever remembered a dream with such clarity and certainly have not ever been aware of smells in dreams before. I'm intrigued by this and wonder what this dream signifies. There was nothing remotely familiar about the ghost girl. I've been thinking of her all day as if she was a real child and am concerned for her welfare! How stupid is that? She is after all, nothing but the creation of my over active mind at rest....
"When I was little, I use to have a recurring dream that i was being chased by pitch black hands, and I would have to hands that stayed on my shoulder and would help me out. There was a rainbow hand which helped me fight against the other hands and would help me get away and save me; and then there was a bright white hand which was my health. When I was being chased it was always in a big city at night and no one one was around. I would always get away from the hands that were chasing me by running into a dark alleyway and hiding. i still don't really understand the dream; the hands that were chasing me and trying to grab me was me being afraid of something trying to consume me and maybe even control me (which would have been my mom and grandmother)and to this day i still think the rainbow hand was the sign for my dad; i might be thinking to much into it, but...when i was 12 i found out my dad was gay. My dad has always tried to help me and i moved in with him out of my moms house so i could get away from drugs and her mental illness and abuse, so in a way he saved me. Forum Nightmare Dreams: cont..
This last week I've had a similar nightmare. I can't say they're the same....
Every so often I have a dream where there is a texas chainsaw massacre type guy chasing....
It's been puzzling me for a very long time. Last night I had a dream that..So all I can remember is that my sister disappears and i'm left with Joe and Nana.....
So I've been having these dreams that all take place in the same area involving the same people (who all but 1 I've never seen in real life).....
Last night I dreamt that someone I knew was killed outside my school and dumped in a lake. I don't know him I have this dream almost every night and it's basically the same. I'm stuck in this room, it's pitch black with no windows or doors....
Last night I woke up at 3:20 am from this dream or nightmare. I am still very confused by it.....
So I've been having this dream that takes place at my house and it's always at night and it was about this woman with dark

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Nightmare Dreams | Analyze Dreams | Nightmares | Night Terrors

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A nightmare is a dream that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that results in feelings of strong terror, fear, distress and extreme anxiety. Nightmares can happen to anyone at any given time of their lives. Generally your typical nightmare will evoke negative emotional responses from the mind, typically the anxious, fear or dread feeling.

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It's Halloween season, and you know what that means: scary movie time. Whether you're more of a seasonal viewer or a die-hard horror fan, it's fun to load up on your favorite gremlins and ghouls to get yourself in the holiday spirit. (Pun intended.)

But night after night of on-screen bloodshed might make you wonder: Is this hurting my mental health? After all, Americans are experiencing anxiety at higher rates, surveys show, and it's not uncommon for us to be triggered by what we watch (" 13 Reasons Why," anyone?).

It's probably not that simple, says Kristen Lindgren, Ph.D., a psychologist at University of Washington Medical Center-Roosevelt and an associate professor in the University of Washington's psychiatry and behavioral sciences department. There's no consensus among researchers whether or not horror shows are good or bad for us.

"For some people, that sense of fear feels good. For others, it's terrifying and awful. The specific things that, for you, might feel good scary or bad scary will vary," she says.

Here are her tips for making sure that "American Horror Story" binge keeps you on the edge of your seat - instead of up at night.

Keep track of your nightmares

Sometimes, your subconscious will send you signs that something is bothering you, even if you don't realize it during your waking hours. Nightmares aren't just for kids, after all, Lindgren says. If repeated, disturbing images of Pennywise or Hannibal Lecter keep flashing before your eyes when you're trying to sleep, take that as a sign that you might want to re-evaluate your watching habits.

Don't watch late at night

If the content of horror movies doesn't bother you but you're still experiencing insomnia, it might not be the best idea to watch something scary right before bed. That's because all that suspense can increase physiological arousal in your body - the opposite of what helps you feel sleepy, Lindgren says.

"It can be hard to go to sleep because you're trying to get the body to do two different things at the same time," she says.

Though a lot of horror TV shows are on late at night, this is where technology comes in handy. Record your shows so you can watch them earlier in the day or evening, or use an online streaming service to watch whenever you want.

Use horror movies to overcome your fears

Think about what scares you: Spiders? Heights? Killer clowns? No matter what it is, it's probably been featured in a horror movie.

If you have a phobia or other mental health condition, deliberately engaging with something that scares you can help prove to yourself that you can handle it. This is called exposure therapy, a technique used regularly by psychologists.

If you aren't ready to jump right in and watch Chucky to cure your fear of demonic dolls, take things a little slower. Watch a single scene or part of a show that focuses on your fears, and gradually increase your exposure over time. The goal is to make your brain realize that the thing you're afraid of can't actually hurt you - especially when it's just on TV. (Yes, that's true even if you watch "The Ring.")

Know your limits

Only you know what you're comfortable with watching. Maybe you like spooky shows but aren't into slasher films. Or maybe you are normally OK with watching something scary, but decide not to during a week when you're particularly stressed out.

Whatever you decide is up to you, and it's important not to let others push you.

"Empowerment is about someone choosing it for themselves versus someone else imposing it. It's about saying, 'I want this for myself and know I can do it,'" Lindgren says.

And if something is really bothering you, ask yourself why that might be. Is the show playing into fears you've had for a long time? Is it making you think about yourself in a negative way? If you can't shake it, consider talking with someone, either a close friend or family member or a professional. Completely avoiding a show, or the thoughts and feelings it brings up, isn't going to make the negative emotions go away, after all.

"I've had clients who were struggling and saw a movie that bothered them. It wasn't always a horror movie, but it became one for them," Lindgren says. "It was uncomfortable and painful, but it also motivated them to come in for treatment."

Don't judge yourself

Unlike in "Wynonna Earp," this isn't Purgatory: You won't be judged if you decide that watching a lot of scary shows just isn't your thing. (OK, some people may judge you a little, but true friends will just shrug it off and move on.)

Most importantly, you shouldn't judge yourself. Just because a show is popular doesn't mean you have to watch it. There are plenty of non-scary shows you can watch with friends and family. Whatever you choose to watch or not watch, it's your choice.

"Figure out what your preferences are and own them," Lindgren says.

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Is Watching Horror Movies Bad for Your Mental Health?

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It's Halloween season, and you know what that means: scary movie time. Whether you're more of a seasonal viewer or a die-hard horror fan, it's fun to load up on your favorite gremlins and ghouls to get yourself in the holiday spirit. (Pun intended.)

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What Is a Nightmare?

A nightmare is a bad dream. Almost everyone gets them once in a while - adults and kids. It can may make you feel scared, anxious, or upset. But nightmares are not real and can't harm you.

Why Do I Get Nightmares?

Stressful things that happen during the day can turn dreams into nightmares. Nightmares may be a way to relieve the pressures of the day. This usually means dealing with things most kids have to face at one time or another: problems at home, problems at school, and stress from sports or schoolwork. Sometimes major changes, such as moving or the illness or death of a loved one, can cause stress that leads to nightmares.

Another thing that may cause nightmares is watching scary movies or reading scary books, especially before you go to bed.

Sometimes if you are sick, especially with a high fever, you may have nightmares. Some medicines also can cause nightmares. Let your parents and doctor know if you notice you are having more nightmares around the time you started a new medicine.

But sometimes you might have a nightmare for no reason at all.

How Can I Prevent Nightmares?

Here are some tips you can try to get nightmares under control.

Get into a healthy sleep routine. Try to go to bed about the same time and wake up at the same time every day. Unless you're sick or didn't get enough sleep the night before, avoid naps during the day. Avoid eating or exercising just before bedtime. Avoid scary books or movies before bedtime.

Sleep with a stuffed toy or favorite blanket. This helps some kids feel more secure.

Use a nightlight. Even if you gave up yours up years ago, you might want to turn it back on. With a nightlight, if you awake from a nightmare, you'll be able to see familiar things and remember where you are.

Keep your door open. This will help you remember that your family is close by. If you are scared, get up and find someone for reassurance. You're never too old for a hug!

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What if the Nightmares Don't Go Away?

Most of the time, nightmares are not a big problem. It often helps to tell a trusted adult about your bad dreams. Just talking about what happened might make you feel better. If something has been troubling you during the day, talking about those feelings also may help.

Some kids "rewrite" their nightmares by giving them happier outcomes. Another trick is to draw a picture of the bad dream and then rip it up!

Sometimes it helps to keep a dream journal, a notebook in which you describe the dreams you can recall. Tracking your dreams - good and bad - and how you felt before you went to sleep can give you a better sense of how your mind works at night.

If you have nightmares a lot, you and your parent might want to see a counselor or a psychologist to help you deal with your bad dreams. It will give you a chance to talk about some of the things bothering you that may be related to your nightmares.

Rarely, kids with frequent nightmares may need to visit a doctor who can see if the nightmares are because of a physical condition.

Remember, nightmares are not real and they can't hurt you. Dreaming about something scary does not mean it will happen in real life. And it doesn't mean you're a bad person who wants to do mean or scary things. Everyone has nightmares now and then.

You aren't a baby if you feel afraid after a nightmare. If you need to snuggle with a parent or even a sister or brother, that's all right. Sometimes just talking to a parent or grabbing a quick hug may be all you need.

Nightmares may be scary for a little bit, but now you know what to do. Sweet dreams!

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A nightmare is a bad dream. Almost everyone gets them once in a while - adults and kids. It can may make you feel scared, anxious, or upset. But nightmares are not real and can't harm you. Stressful things that happen during the day can turn dreams into nightmares.