CA
A 39-year-old member asked:
How do i prevent nightmares?
4 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Cornelia Franzanswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
You can't: Nightmares are interesting. In young children they often are simply reliving their day in their sleep and can present as a nightmare. They are a common childhood occurrence. With nightmares children will wake and be scared. Night terrors are a sleep disorder that are also common. The child is not awake when they are talking, crying or sleepwalking. See tip for more info.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. James Foxanswered
Psychiatry 15 years experience
Prazosin: Also, prazosin (a medication for blood pressure) is effective in reducing nightmares, particularly in people with ptsd. It is not sedating, but it is thought to alter sleep architecture for the better. It is started at low dose (1-2mg) but doses as high as 10-12mg or more may be necessary. 5mg seems about average from my experience. Side effects are related to a decrease in blood pressure.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. David Schechteranswered
Family Medicine 38 years experience
Reduce Stress: I find that writing in a journal about the emotions of the day is a very helpful way to process stress. Other individuals benefit from meditation, light exercise, soothing tea. The mindbody workbook, is a tool i developed to help people process stress and tension associated with physical symptoms.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Vikas Duvvurianswered
Psychiatry 17 years experience
See below: If nightmares are a constant problem, please obtain a psychiatry referral from your primary care doc. There are many different causes for nightmares that should be ruled out before one can conclude that it is a coping problem.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 42-year-old member asked:
I am having nightmares - what can I do?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 26 years experience
Consider: talking with a therapist. Minipress (prazosin) can be used off-label to help with nightmares.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.