For mothers…an American study to reduce nightmares in children

An American study revealed a new therapeutic approach that may help reduce recurring nightmares in children, through a deeper understanding of the psychological and behavioral factors that contribute to their continuation, and not just the content of the dream itself.

Researchers from my university explained University of Oklahoma andUniversity of Tulsa Nightmares are no longer considered a passing phenomenon, but rather a condition that can be treated with organized scientific methods, according to a study published in a magazine Frontiers in Sleep.

The researchers presented a new therapeutic model called “DARC-NESS,” which focuses on the concept of “nightmare competence,” that is, the child’s ability to develop skills that help him deal with nightmares and reduce their psychological impact, which contributes to breaking the cycle of their recurrence.

According to the study, the continuation of nightmares is not only related to disturbing dreams, but is also affected by factors such as sleep-related anxiety, fear of recurring nightmares, and the child’s way of interpreting what he sees during sleep and after waking up.

The model suggests a set of therapeutic interventions, including retelling the nightmare, writing it, or drawing it, then rephrasing it in a less disturbing form in cooperation with a psychotherapist, with the aim of changing the psychological response to the dream.

The researchers emphasized that this approach depends on customization, so that a treatment plan is designed for each child according to his condition, with a focus on broader factors such as anxiety before sleep, improving sleep habits, and coping mechanisms after waking up.

They pointed out that children who suffer from chronic nightmares often fear sleep itself, not just the dream, which makes the condition different from disorders such as insomnia.

Researchers believe that enhancing a child’s confidence in his ability to confront nightmares may reflect positively on the quality of sleep, mental health, and daily performance in general.