Dream recall frequency, nightmare frequency, attitude towards dreams, and other dream variables in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders

Background and objectivesSleep and dreaming are inseparable. Therefore, this study addressed the question of whether the presence of specific sleep disorders affects dreaming.Materials and methodsThe present study included 1467patients with sleep-related breathing disorders who completed adream questionnaire.ResultsDream life in these patients differed from control samples, most notably in heightened dream recall frequency, nightmare frequency, and frequency of sharing dreams. On the other hand, the positive attitude towards dreams and nightmare distress were rated lower by the patient group.ConclusionThe findings indicate that sleep physiology, e.g., arousals terminating sleep apneas, might affect the dreaming process. In addition, future studies should also take into account the daytime distress associated with having asevere sleep disorder, as distress might have an effect on dream content and nightmare frequency.