Childhood Nightmares Linked to Mental Problems in Adolescence

Researchers have found a link between frequency of nightmares during childhood and psychotic problems later in life.

The study, conducted by researchers at University of Warwick, found that children who reported experiencing nightmares at age 12 had a three-fold higher risk of suffering from psychotic problems during teenage years. Also, night terrors doubled the risk of hallucinations and delusions.

"We certainly don't want to worry parents with this news; three in every four children experience nightmares at this young age. However, nightmares over a prolonged period or bouts of night terrors that persist into adolescence can be an early indicator of something more significant in later life," Professor Dieter Wolke, of the study authors,  said in a news release.

Nightmares occur during second half of the sleep cycle (REM or rapid eye movement). Fear, terror, distress and anxiety are common signs of nightmares.

Related studies have shown that occasional nightmares are normal. However, chronic or frequent nightmares are linked with emotional and behavioral problems in children.

Night terrors occur during non-REM sleep stage. Loud screams and thrashing of limbs during sleep are usually signs of night terror.

Data for the present study came from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Researchers looked at information from over 6,800 children.

The study team found that the risk of suffering from psychotic problems such as hallucinations or delusions during teenage years was linked with nightmares or night terrors experienced during childhood.

The study cohort was assessed six times between ages two and nine. Researchers found that children reporting one period of nightmares had a 16 percent higher risk of psychotic problems whereas children reporting three or more periods of nightmares had a risk of 56 percent.

Other sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep had no association with psychotic problems later in life.

One of the major limitations of the study was that the data was based on the children's own reports.

Researchers say that parents can help reduce nightmares and night terror risk by adopting sleep hygiene.

"The best advice is to try to maintain a lifestyle that promotes healthy sleep hygiene for your child, by creating an environment that allows for the best possible quality of sleep. Diet is a key part of this, such as avoiding sugary drinks before bed, but at that young age we'd always recommend removing any affecting stimuli from the bedroom - be it television, video games or otherwise. That's the most practical change you can make," Dr Helen Fisher, of King's College London, said in a news release.

The study was published in the journal SLEEP.