Q&A for How to Fall Asleep Again After a Nightmare

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  • Question
    What should you do if you can't sleep because of nightmares?
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Expert Answer
    Keep lights dimmed to avoid stimulating your brain to stay awake. Also, try to optimize your sleeping area. Consider covering any glow-in-the-dark clocks with a blanket or pillowcase if bothers you. Additionally, stay away from electronics like television and devices. This can help your brain relax and keep it from seeing images that may stimulate nightmares.
  • Question
    Should I go back to sleep after a nightmare?
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Expert Answer
    If you can, absolutely. The more sleep you can get, the better. When you wake up in the middle of the night and you don't go back to sleep, your sleep schedule may be thrown off and you may end up spending 4-5 days trying to get back on track.
  • Question
    Whenever I go to sleep around 10 p.m., I shut the lights off and I do my muscle technique. But later on in my sleep, I find myself waking up terrified around 6:30 a.m. and I know it's because of my anxiety. I just don't know how to get rid or cope with them. None of these tips have worked, what now?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    You may want to discuss this with your doctor. If you have have experienced trauma or illness (physical or mental), or are taking any medications or using any drugs, be sure to let your doctor know. He/she may refer you to a psychologist or sleep specialist.
  • Question
    Can putting a picture of happy things under my pillow help drive away nightmares? That's what I've been doing and it seemed to have worked a little. Also, what if I'm ready to go to bed, but I can't because I'm thinking about a previous nightmare?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    If putting a picture of happy things under your pillow is helping, by all means continue -- this may be helping your mind focus on positive things. Some things to try to keep your mind off a previous nightmare and help you get to sleep: follow a relaxing bedtime ritual, meditation, and breathing exercises..
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