Nightmare Distress and Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescents.

A recent study published in Sleep Medicine found that nightmare distress plays a significant role in contributing to depressive symptoms in adolescent patients with psychiatric disorders. Nearly half of the adolescent patients reported frequent nightmares, with female adolescents more likely to experience them. Nightmare distress was identified as a significant mediating factor in the relationship between frequent nightmares and depressive symptoms. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing nightmares in these patients and provides valuable insights for targeted interventions to improve their mental well-being.