Parasomnias I

Nightmare disorder is a Rapid Eye Movement (REM) parasomnia provoking disturbing oneiric activity and significant distress. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic criteria and definition of this sleep disorder. Moreover, we reviewed findings on neural correlates of nightmares, also examining the changes over the lifespan. Then, we described the most common comorbid psychiatric conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidality, anxious state, and personality disorders. Also, the effectiveness of the different therapeutic strategies to treat this parasomnia has been discussed. Finally, we propose a reflection on the potential functional role of nightmares. Based on the view that nightmares may represent a reliable index of individuals' well-being, we believe that this field of research deserves further investigation, concluding with suggestions for future studies.