What Is a Nightmare

The understanding of nightmares varies among medical professionals, psychologists, and the general public. In the medical field, nightmares are considered to have three main characteristics: extreme fear, a sensation of chest pressure and suffocation caused by a heavy burden, and an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. The third type includes not only terrifying dreams but also unpleasant, anxiety-inducing, and depressing dreams.

Therefore, nightmares can be broadly categorized and narrowly defined.

Broadly speaking, nightmares refer to what is commonly known as "nightmares" in the general public. Narrowly defined nightmares are nightmares that possess the three aforementioned characteristics, also known as "night terrors." However, it is generally believed that both broad nightmares and narrow night terrors occur when individuals encounter significant troubles in their lives or careers.

They either have a vague premonition that an accidental event in the outside world will bring disastrous consequences or inadvertently touch upon certain private matters within themselves, causing deep unease. It is important to note that nightmares often serve as the first sign of impending mental breakdown or physical illness, particularly cardiovascular conditions, in the broad sense of nightmares. Additionally, there is a type of nightmare referred to as a trauma dream.

Although it is commonly regarded as a nightmare, it is actually different from regular nightmares. It often has a clear cause, and the contents of the dream more or less reenact traumatic events experienced by the dreamer. These events are usually sudden, completely unexpected terrifying incidents, such as car accidents, robberies, earthquakes, fires, floods, or sexual assaults. Such dreams should be classified as dreams originating from a normal psychological condition, as they can be interpreted as a means for individuals to confront something almost unbearable.

However, although they may recur, over time their frequency decreases, and their intensity diminishes with each occurrence. They gradually improve as long as neural stimulation is reduced.