Constant Nightmares As An Adult

[LiteralNightmare]

Anyone know of anything that could help really awful nightmares? My adult daughter suffers terribly most nights and has done for years. She won't sleep alone now, has to be with me. She's tired all the time obviously and her anxiety over sleeping is affecting everything.

She's on a waiting list for CBT.
Any advice at all would be appreciated.

So many possible reasons but as someone with persistent lifelong night terrors I would suggest zero media from 7pm, a completely low-sugar diet for 2 weeks, and meditation/gentle yoga before bed.
I can honestly sympathise.

Try changing sleeping position ( I get more nightmares when on my back )

I have had persistent bad dreams (not always nightmares as such, but unpleasant/difficult) since I was a young child. Nothing helps, and I rarely feel rested no matter how much sleep I get, as it is such poor quality.

The only thing that someone has suggested is that it could be linked to past trauma, and given they started when I was small it may be linked to my dad leaving. Not saying this is the same for your daughter, but something worth considering. I haven’t yet sought help as I’m not really sure who to ask!

Does she take medication for anything? Nightmares can be a side effect

This. It’s a well known phenomenon that you may have nightmares if you sleep on your back as a response to obstructive sleep apnoea

I get them when I eat food I'm intolerant to...bad belly, bad mind!

I agree about the sleeping position.

Purely anecdotal but I used to have terrifying, recurring nightmares. I sleep on my side now as I would wake my DH up from my snoring/snorting in the night. I have not had any nightmares for a few years since I changed sleeping positions from my back to my side.

Is it nightmares related to one issue or past event? Or random things?

Sleep position. Also, try CBD oil.

My God, thanks so much. It could be her sleeping position, she sleeps on her back and is also a larger woman (because she's constantly exhausted).

It could be childhood trauma also - hoping the CBT would help her with that in a roundabout way.

And I'll research her medications too.

Sorry to hear others suffer too, it's really awful.

I was despairing so, really, thank you for replying.

Justin Havens Dream Completion technique on YouTube is 5 min video about traumatic nightmares. Might not be relevant as addresses recurrent nightmares about same issue

I get them when i am worried re family or watched horror movies
Med can do this as well as poor sleep position or a pillow/s/matress that does not agree with you or you are too hot.

She needs to be checked for sleep apnoea, ASAP, and she needs to stop sleeping on her back.

This!
It's very similar to rescripting which is part of CBT for trauma. It works on reoccurring dreams and also reoccurring themes in dreams.